Panda Updates – Wednesday, June 10

Now that bamboo shoot season is done, it is time for the next type of bamboo. We just started offering a favorite of the giant pandas at this time of year, arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica). As one might imagine, it has been a hit so far. Arrow bamboo is a really long and skinny bamboo with only a few leaves on top. Generally the pandas don’t eat the leaves of the arrow. so the Bamboo Team cuts off the top portion and shares them with the Elephant Team. While it is hard sometimes to convince the pandas that shoot season is actually done, arrow usually makes for a suitable substitute.

Shauna
Keeper II, Mammals

(photo by Shauna)