Panda Eyes: Pang Pang The Poorly Panda Undergoes Operation At Human Hospital

Panda Eyes: Pang Pang The Poorly Panda Undergoes Operation At Human Hospital

For a panda with a poorly eye, popping to the opticians isn't an option. But sometimes things can get so bad the bears do in fact need an operation.

That was the case for Pang Pang, a panda residing in a zoo in Shanghai. The 12-year-old marsupial lost his sight after suffering from cataracts, a clouding over of the lens of the eye which can stop light from entering the cornea.

Vets thought a medical procedure could improve the bear's chances to see his bamboo surroundings and wanted to operate.

The difficulty wa that adult male bears can weigh up to 160 kilograms - and zoos do not generally have the facilities to treat such a condition. The fragile eye structure needs a sanitary operating theatre, otherwise the procedure could risk causing permanent damage to the animal's sight.

So instead Pang Pang was tranquillised and taken to an Eye pod at a local hospital - a human hospital.

To put the bear to sleep and give him oxygen a huge bottle was cut in half as an improvised face mask.

Opthamologists performed the operation in conjunction with vets from a specialist panda reserve. Pang Pang's sight is not yet restored, but he is expected to start experience light sensation again soon.

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