A panda cub born last week in a breeding centre in Southwest China's Sichuan Province has received a special birthday gift its own blog.

The blog, named "Baby Panda Home," debuted yesterday, and is hosted by Sina.com. Experts on panda protection hope it will increase public concern about endangered animals.

"We hope to raise awareness, especially among young people, about panda protection," Zhang Zhihe, head of the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre in provincial capital Chengdu, was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying.

The female cub, who is still unnamed, has been personified as a blogger posting stories about her life, her family and other pandas in the centre, said Zhang.

Zhong Wen, a reporter with Chengdu Daily, will write all the articles. After collecting materials from the panda's raisers, Zhong will write articles and post them on the blog once or twice a week. He is hoping to continue for the next 25 years, the average lifespan of a panda.

The articles will also be published every Monday in Chengdu Daily, a sponsor of the blog.

This is the first animal blog in China, Zhong told China Daily. "We will launch an English version in the near future on another website."

Internet users can also view pictures and videos of the pandas at http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/1250332025.

By yesterday afternoon, the first day of its public appearance, there were three articles and four photos on the blog, describing the birth process of the panda cub and its present life.

By press time the blog had already received nearly 1000 hits, with dozens of netizens leaving supportive comments.

"I learnt about the blog through Modern Express this morning. It's a special blog and I will keep coming here to follow the growth of our national treasure," said a message left by Jiangnan Yanyu.

Many expressed gratitude to the hosts of the blog, and suggested names for the cub.

Source: China Daily