Zoo helps quake-hit giant pandas

Colchester zoololgical director Anthony Tropeano at Chengdu breeding centre

Giant pandas affected by last month's earthquake in the Sichuan province of China are being helped by an Essex zoo.

Colchester Zoo has allocated �1,000 to the Chengdu giant panda breeding centre to help rescue the animals and rebuild the rescue centres and reserves.

All the pandas at the breeding centre survived but many in the wild died or have suffered horrendous injuries, Colchester Zoo said.

It is hoped the money will provide veterinary care for the injured pandas.

The epicentre of the earthquake struck in the Mishang mountains, one of the main sources of of bamboo.

This area is now difficult to access making food supplies short for the pandas.

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