(Xinhua)12:11, June 16, 2019
The giant panda returns to the wild, on June 15, 2019, in Jiuzhaigou County, southwest Chinas Sichuan Province. [Photo: Xinhua]
A giant panda that fell sick and was rescued by villagers returned to the wild Saturday after 10 weeks of treatment.
The wild bear was found by villagers in Jiuzhaigou County, southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, on April 5.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding sent a team of two veterinarians and a breeder to rescue the rare animal in Jiuzhaigou County.
The panel examined and diagnosed the giant panda as an adult female, presumably aged between 7 and 8 years, severely dehydrated and suffering electrolyte disorder, metabolic acidosis, infection, anemia and cardiac dysfunction.
After more than two months of intensive treatment and nursing, the pandas food intake and mental state have gradually improved. She weighs 85 kg, 10 kg more from her weight at the beginning of the treatment. Experts believe her weight is normal. Female giant pandas in captivity aged around 8 usually weigh 95 to 120 kg.
Her daily defecation has increased to more than 10 kg from a very small amount when she was rescued. For captive giant pandas of her age, they usually defecate 15 to 30 kg a day depending on how much they eat.
All her physical indexes have become normal. She is still wild and eligible for release into the wild, according to the rescue panel.
The giant panda was spotted wandering down the mountain to human habitations in early April. Local villagers reported to the administration of nature reserve and were asked to leave her alone after providing clean water and bamboo for her.
The black-and-white bear drank some water but ate nothing before leaving. She showed up in the same area the next day, appearing weaker and making an um-um cry. She did not escape nor attack when humans approached.
People judged she was in very poor physical condition and asked the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for medical treatment.