COLCHESTER Zoo has stepped in to help giant pandas affected by last month's earthquake in China.

The zoo has provided emergency funds of £1,000 to the Chegndu Giant Panda Breeding Centre in the Sichuan province to rescue animals injured by the earthquake and to rebuild damaged centres and reserves.

All the giant pandas at the centre survived the earthquake but many in the wild sustained serious injuries that require immediate vetinary care.

The earthquake caused extensive damage to the centre resulting in collapsed enclosures, cracked and unsafe walls and ceilings and other structural damage. The epicentre of the quake was in the Mishang Mountains, an area which the breeding centre and local reserves rely heavily on for bamboo supplies (the staple of the panda's diet).

It is now difficult to get bamboo from the area meaning food supplies are short for the pandas.