ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 5, 1997 TAG: 9704070044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
The 26-year-old panda and his mate, Ling-Ling, were given to the National Zoo by the Chinese government in 1972 and quickly became its most popular attraction.
Hsing-Hsing, the National Zoo's giant panda, has cancer in his right testicle and will undergo surgery to remove it, zoo officials said Thursday.
There are no signs the disease has spread, but that cannot be confirmed until the April 23 operation, according to the zoo's chief veterinarian, Richard Cambre.
The 26-year-old panda and his mate, Ling-Ling, were given to the National Zoo by the Chinese government in 1972 and quickly became its most popular attraction.
Giant pandas are an endangered species; there are fewer than two dozen outside China, including only three in the United States.
Despite multiple matings and five births, the National Zoo's pair never produced a cub that lived longer than a few days.
Ling-Ling died in 1992.
Hsing-Hsing's cancer was discovered Wednesday during a physical examination, under anesthesia, that was scheduled because his keepers had noticed several problems.
The panda's testicle appeared swollen, he had lost weight and he limped on his left leg. Laboratory tests confirmed the cancer Thursday.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB