A tiny panda enjoying its first moments of fame staged a hilarious faceplant as it was
presented to the public.
The little black and white cub was on show as part of a celebration showing off the impressive
breeding rate of pandas this year.
The little one is writhing around on the makeshift stage making a bid for freedom when he unfortunately
topples off the edge.
Although he is quickly rescued by a helper, his blushes were caught on camera in a video
that's gone viral across the world.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in south-west China's Sichuan province has
welcomed 27 cubs in 20 16, with 23 still at home there.
The panda population has been growing in recent years, with reports that they are no longer
an endangered species, although their natural habitat is still considered to be under threat.
Earlier this week, an adorable adult panda was caught on camera doing his exercises.
The unnamed animal was filmed doing a few sit-ups , although he quickly gave up and
had a scratch.
Pandas' rotund shapes are down to their diet, consisting almost exclusively of bamboo.
Because the woody grass contains nothing like the protein and energy they need, their have
adapted to have a very low metabolism.
Anthropologist Russell Ciochon said : "This lower metabolic rate and a more sedentary
lifestyle allows the giant panda to subsist on nutrient poor resources such as bamboo.