Panda Updates – Monday, October 9

I think it’s safe to say that giant pandas are very much creatures of habit. This is why it is so important that we introduce the cubs to important parts of their adult diets while they are young. We started introducing the girls to leafeater biscuits when they were much younger, and they have turned into little biscuit-eating machines. The next step, other than bamboo, is discovering which produce items Ya Lun and Xi Lun prefer. Each day, Yang Yang enjoys apple, banana and sweet potatoes. Lun Lun is not a fan of sweet potato, so we offer her apples and bananas each day. Lun Lun’s dislike for sweet potatoes has proven to be an advantage for keepers over the years as produce has been introduced to her cubs. Lun Lun has no shame in stealing a biscuit or two from them (they have stolen their fair share of biscuits from her), so the first produce item the cubs get is sweet potatoes. This way, we can be sure that Lun Lun isn’t going to eat them, and the cubs have plenty of time to nibble on and investigate the new food item. Ya Lun and Xi Lun still haven’t completely made up their minds yet, so we are continuing to monitor their interest and make sure they have plenty of biscuits in the meantime.
Danica W.
Swing Keeper I, Mammals