PANDA UPDATES – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

As animal care professionals, it’s our job to make sure the animals we care for are in good health. One of the many ways we accomplish this is to obtain animal weights on a regular basis. 

A challenge comes with ensuring we get consistent weights on our arboreal red panda, Jackie. Since red pandas spend most of their time up in the trees, we (Jackie’s care team) work to maintain a positive relationship with him, built on trust. This way, Jackie comes down from his tree and willingly gets on his scale for us. Then we can measure his weight and make sure he is within the optimal weight range for a healthy red panda.

He is usually a superstar and is rewarded with his favorite diet items, such as grapes or apple chunks! 

(photo: Sophie R.)

Trish J.

Keeper I, Mammals