'Nearly blind' snow leopard sees brighter future

He hoped it would restore Linghan's eyesight as well as set a precedent for similar surgeries to be performed on rescued wildlife.

There are 12 snow leopards in Xining Wildlife Park, including 3-year-old Aoxue who was artificially conceived. The other leopards are kept there because they are old, weak, sick or disabled.

Qi said Linghan had lost the ability to survive in the wild because his teeth are badly worn. After a full recovery, he will be given a new home where he will be cared for.