This is the shocking moment when a panda cub chews on face masks tossed in its enclosure by lazy zoogoers in China.

Video footage shows the baby panda trying to eat two masks thrown away by visitors to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in Chengdu.

The clip- filmed by an unknown zoogoer – shows the cub nibbling one mask, then another.

It is only when the baby’s mother Olympia gently pulls the youngster – named Kenian – away with her teeth that it finally gives up.

Staff reportedly learned of the danger and took Kenian for a medical check-up.

Thankfully, the staff said the little panda was in good health and had not swallowed anything.

Its breeders are to keep a close watch on Kenian’s condition to ensure its health and safety.

The panda base also promised to strengthen supervision in the future.

Staff reminded visitors to keep their distance and to behave in a civilised manner around the animals.

The video – shared later on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok – caused online concern about the panda’s health.

Douyin user ‘y Diao’ said: “There should be a security officer standing by to maintain order and prevent the national treasure from being harmed.”

And user ‘Ye Zhiqiu’ said: “The Chengdu Giant Panda Base needs to install cameras, strict monitoring and hefty fines for bad behaviour, so as to prevent situations that could harm the pandas!”