Beijing - One of China's rare giant pandas was rescued after being chased by dogs and spending the night up a pine tree. It is now in critical condition in a treatment centre.

A highly "distressed" Liuliu was discovered last Sunday by a farmer in the rural northern province of Shaanxi after being chased up the 5m tree by three dogs, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

A team of veterinary surgeosn, which administers special pills and injections daily, said Liuliu was in a "very poor state" after the ordeal.

The Shaanxi Rare Animal Rescue Centre is now home to six giant pandas, all of which have been rescued after being injured or falling ill in the wild, the report said.

- Sapa-AFP