Forest police and workers at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center successfully rescued a panda who fell into the water at a hydro-power station in Gengda Township, Sichuan province on Nov. 1. The panda was released back into nature at around 9 p.m.

According to He Mingwu, chief of the Wolong Forest Public Security Bureau, police officers and hydro power station employees saw the panda climbing along a steel fence about 4 meters below the top of the dam at 4:40 p.m.

The panda fell into the water after the first rescue attempt by police and workers failed. As it began to get dark and the panda became anxious, police decided to shoot the animal with a tranquilizer. Around 7 p.m., one hour after the panda was tranquilized, police pulled the panda ashore. An examination revealed that the 4-year-old female was in good health. She was released back into nature after regaining consciousness.

It is assumed that the panda fell into the water accidentally while trying to cross the hydro power station.