This is the shocking moment a panda chases after and bites its female keeper after trapping her in its cage at a zoo in China.

Footage shows the keeper trying to get out of the door but the nine-year-old panda named Ding Ding throws its weight against it, forcing her to run back into the cage.

The panda then stands guard by the door for a bit before then running after the keeper who tries to keep it away by putting her hands on its shoulders.

But the powerful panda surges forward, and eventually swipes her feet out from under her knocking her over and then pouncing on top of her.

The panda appears to be biting the terrified keeper on the arm as she tries to push it away, and eventually, she manages to get clear and runs for the door while the panda is distracted.

The attack also shocked visitors to the zoo who were screaming as the drama unfolded underneath them at the Chongqing Zoo in Chongqing on September 19.

The zoo where the incident happened vowed to take steps to prevent further attacks.

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.'

The zoo, built in 1953, covers an area of 45 hectares (111 acres) and has a variety of animals including giant pandas but also red pandas, the South China tiger and white tigers.

According to public information, Ding Ding is a female panda born in August 2015 at Chongqing Zoo, with pedigree number 982. Her mother is Ya Laoer, her elder sisters are panda Youyou, giant panda Mangzi, giant panda Ershun, giant panda Haoqi, and her younger sister isLiangyue.