Baby red panda adopted by zookeeper's cat dies

BEIJING, July 21 (Chinese medianet) --A baby red panda

adopted by a zookeeper's cat at Amsterdam's Artis zoo after being rejected by

its mother has died.

The zoo says an autopsy on the tiny panda found its windpipe filled with milk, indicating it choked to death. The zoo had hoped the panda would be able to suckle from the cat for three

months before moving onto a diet of bamboo and fruit.

The tabby cat came to the cub's rescue July 1 after

it was spurned by its mother. A second cub died shortly after the cubs' birth on

June 30.

In a message on its website Friday, the zoo says the

cub was healthy until its unexpected death Thursday. The rest of its adoptive

family — the tabby and her four kittens — are in good condition.

(Agencies)