Panda cub injures National Zoo keeper
Wed Mar 19, 9:14 PM ET
WASHINGTON - The 170-pound giant-panda cub at the National Zoo grabbed a worker while trying to play, sending her to the hospital with a small leg laceration, zoo officials said Wednesday.
The panda apparently entered his yard through an unsecured door Tuesday during a routine feeding, zoo spokesman John Gibbons said.
The keeper was treated at a hospital and released. The incident is being investigated.
The keeper took 2-year-old Tai Shan indoors before placing food in his yard, Gibbons said in a statement. The panda re-entered the yard and approached the keeper from behind, playfully grabbing her with his mouth, Gibbons said. Pandas have sharp teeth, used for chewing bamboo.
"The keeper was able to radio for help, and other animal care staff distracted Tai Shan with food as they also safely assisted the keeper out of the yard," Gibbons said.
Keepers stopped entering the panda cub's yard with him for safety reasons when he reached about 70 pounds, Gibbons said.
Tai Shan, whose name means peaceful mountain, was born July 9, 2005. He is the first giant panda born at the National Zoo to survive more than a few weeks. The mother, Mei Xiang, and the father, Tian Tian, are on a 10-year loan from China. The cub will remain at the zoo at least until 2009.
华盛顿国家动物园内熊猫伤人
美国华盛顿国家动物园饲养的一只年幼大熊猫“泰山”在玩闹中不慎咬伤了自己的饲养员，不过饲养员伤势轻微，接受简单治疗后已无大碍。
动物园发言人约翰•吉本说，饲养员18日喂食前把正在院中玩耍的泰山带回室内，并转身到院中为泰山摆放食物。此时，泰山悄悄从未上锁的房门溜进院子，从饲养员身后用嘴拉扯饲养员腿部。吉本说，虽然泰山只是闹着玩，但它用来咀嚼竹子的尖利牙齿弄伤了饲养员。受伤饲养员在医院接受简单治疗后无大碍，已经出院。
泰山2005年7月在美国出生，父母是中国2001年借给美方展出的2只大熊猫“添添”和“梅香”。泰山现已2岁多，体重达77公斤。
