Constipated panda recovers

An overseas-born panda is recovering from a sudden and potentially life-threatening attack of constipation.

The panda research and breeding center in Chengdu noticed that 7-year-old Xiong Bin was in trouble on Saturday morning. Vets say that without immediate treatment, Xiong Bin's condition would have become so bad that he would have died without surgery. Fortunately they caught the disease early and succeeded in treating him with bananas, honey and other foods. The panda was born in Japan, and moved to China in June 2004.

The panda center says he is particularly precious because he is not related to any of the other animals there. They hope to choose a mate for Xiong Bin in April to improve the genetic health of the species.