Questions have been raised about the Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Research Center in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, which has been earning money by displaying rescued pandas - some of which later became sick and died.

The Paper reported on Thursday that the center saved eight seriously injured pandas in the wild and then put them on display in a cage at the center. They charged ticket prices of 30 yuan ($4.80) in peak season and 20 yuan in the off-season.

The report said that the pandas should be sent back to the wild after they recovered and questioned whether the center is suitable for keeping wild animals.