Wild panda rescued from marten attacks

Staff at a Chinese nature reserve on Monday rescued a giant panda injured by martens.

The 3-year-old panda was found hiding and moaning in a cave near a patrol station in the Tangjiahe Natural Reserve in Sichuan Province, according to station staff.

The panda had sustained severe injuries to its belly, exposing its intestines. The injury was probably caused by yellow-throated martens, said Chen Limin, an official at the natural reserve.

The panda, later named "Ping Ping", meaning peace and safety, has undergone surgery and is now recovering.

Giant pandas are one of the world's most endangered species. About 1,600 live in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan, while more than 300 live in captivity.