This is the terrifying moment a panda attacked a zookeeper in China.

Nine-year-old Ding Ding rugby tackled the worker and then swiped his powerful paws at her head inside his enclosure in Chongqing on September 19.

Footage shows the animal chasing and biting the woman's arm as she lay on the ground. The victim can be heard screaming and kicking the panda in an attempt to escape.

She eventually broke free and ran towards the exit.

Local media reported that the employee was in good health and did not sustain any serious injuries from the attack.

A spokesman for Chongqing Zoo said that the matter is under investigation. They said the zookeeper and the panda were both comforted after the attack to help them both to calm down.

They added: 'The panda's behaviour is also being monitored to ensure he is not stressed.'

In a separate incident, two female zookeepers were knocked down by sibling pandas Yu Ke and Yu Ai at the same zoo on April 23. Their co-worker intervened to help them break free.

Pandas, like other animals, can attack if they feel threatened. They use their sharp claws and teeth to defend themselves or their young.