Researchers in northwest China on Wednesday reached out to the world for help with a surgery plan for a disabled giant panda, which needs an artificial paw.

"Niu niu," 12-13 years old, is in dire need of a new paw, so she can live normally, mate, and become a nurturing mother, the Shanghai Morning Post said today.

The panda lost two thirds of her left paw in a fight with three pandas on December 28 in a mountainous area in Taibai County, Shaanxi Province, said a local wildlife center.

"Niu niu was badly injured during the fight and was rescued by a local farmer," Ma Qingyi, head of the center, told the newspaper. "Now, we are so happy to see she is recovering well, and her weight has increased from 56 kilograms to 73 kilograms."

However, Niu niu cannot keep her body balanced without her entire left paw.

"She is at the prime age to breed, but she cannot mate normally as others do, which adds to the difficulty in inducing captive pandas to mate," Ma said.

She even has difficulty walking.

Ren Jianshe, vice director with the center, said the search is urgent and the center is inviting domestic professors to discuss the feasibility of mending or adapting an artificial paw.

(China Daily March 9, 2007)