Giant panda bites keeper

A zoo keeper at San Diego Zoo was rushed to hospital after being bitten by a giant panda named Bai Yun, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The unusual incident happened as staff attempted to herd Bai Yun, a 19-year-old 220lb (100kg) female, back into her sleeping area after she pushed open a gate to the exhibit about 7:00am Sunday.

Officials at the zoo would not provide details on the keeper's condition, the Times reported, but noted that pandas have powerful jaws.

"Most bears have a volatile temperament," said a zoo spokeswoman, "and can suddenly become aggressive. Bai Yun is a normal panda who was in an abnormal area."

A zoo spokeswoman told The San Diego Union-Tribune that Bai Yun, who has had five cubs since arriving at the zoo from China in 1996, appeared unaffected by the incident.

The panda exhibit opened to the public as usual.

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