The Panda Care Team recently shared information about the dietary habits of their four resident pandas. Bamboo comprises approximately 95% of the pandas’ diet, with each bear consuming up to 100 pounds daily. The team also prepares a special diet to meet the pandas’ nutritional needs, in collaboration with the Veterinary and Animal Nutrition Teams. They analyze the nutritional content of all foods given to the pandas.
The special diet includes a variety of foods such as leafeater biscuits, apples, sweet potatoes, and bananas. The biscuits are dry, soy-based, and contain essential vitamins and minerals. These diet items are used in different aspects of the pandas’ routine, including as positive reinforcement during training sessions.
The diet items are also used in various enrichment activities to stimulate the pandas both physically and mentally. They are scattered in their habitats, inserted into bamboo, or placed on climbing structures to promote movement and physical activity. This encourages the pandas to exercise critical muscle groups and improve coordination while searching for their favorite snacks.