Page 5 - Ratel 2023 Summer

Ratel volume 50, issue number 2

Results separating the pandas or employing round-the-clock observation -
both worth consideration for future investigation.
The study found that golden bamboo was the most popular of the
bamboos by total weight consumed. Arrow bamboo ranked second, Given the constraints imposed by staffing levels and bamboo
followed by dwarf striped bamboo in third position. Golden cultivation on site, this study incorporated only three bamboo
bamboo appeared as the most favoured species during the initial 15 species. To diversify the analysis, each selected species originated
minute presentation period. The results also show that over the 12 from a distinct genus. Future studies may expand the data set by
day period, location preference was shown for Platform 1 during incorporating additional bamboo varieties such as black bamboo
the first 15 minutes of feeding. Platform 2 ranked second, and (P.nigra) and fountain bamboo (Fargesia sp.). However, it is worth
Platform 3 ranked third. noting that insufficient quantities of Bisset’s bamboo (P.bissetii) on
site eliminate its inclusion in further study.
Table 3. Total weight of bamboo consumed during the study.
To enhance the reliability of the research results, plans are in place
Arrow Dwarf striped Golden
bamboo bamboo bamboo to repeat this study during the summer, autumn and winter seasons.
Amount of bamboo By conducting the study across multiple seasons, the impact of
consumed (grams) 1980 1025 3300 weather-related variables can be minimized, leading to more robust
and reliable conclusions.
Table 4. Number of times each bamboo species was selected for consumption
during the first 15 minutes of it being provided.
By understanding the pandas' preference for golden bamboo, DMR
Arrow Dwarf striped Golden can tailor the diet to align with its natural preferences, promoting
bamboo bamboo bamboo
overall well-being and health. Additionally, this study holds
Pema 38 28 98
relevance in the effective management of bamboo species at DMR,
Tika 39 7 51
by allowing the optimisation of resources and adopting sustainable
practices. Overall, the outcomes of this research significantly
Table 5. Number of times each platform was visited and the proportion of time
spent consuming bamboo on each of them during the first 15 minutes of food contribute to the enrichment and conservation efforts for the Red
being provided. pandas at DMR.
Platform 1 Platform 2 Platform 3
References
Pema 78 50% 52 33% 26 17%
Tika 47 48% 33 34% 17 18%
Roberts, M.S., Gittleman, J.L. (1984). Ailurus fulgens. In Mammalian
Species, 222, pp.1-8.
Discussion
Stevens, C., Hume, I. (1995). Comparative Physiology of the Vertebrate Digestive
System (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press, New York.
The pandas’ preference for golden bamboo may be attributed to
Weerman, J. (2021). EAZA Best Practice Guidelines for the Red Panda (Ailurus
specific characteristics, particularly the density of leaves on the stem
fulgens) (2nd ed.). European Association of Zoos and Aquariums,
and the size of leaves. Of the three bamboo species offered, golden
Amsterdam.
bamboo stands out with its medium-sized leaves and a higher leaf
distribution in dense clusters. These morphological attributes Wei, F., Zhang, Z. (2011). Red Pandas in the Wild in China. In: A.R. Glatston
(ed.), Red Panda, biology and conservation of the first panda. Academic
possibly enable the pandas to optimize their nutritional intake within
Press, London.
a limited timeframe, aligning with prior research findings by Wei et
Wei, F., Feng, Z., Wang, Z., Hu, J. (2000). Habitat Use and Separation
al. (2000) and Wei and Zhang (2011).
Between the Giant Panda and the Red Panda. Journal of Mammalogy 81,
pp.448–455.
The least popular bamboo upon initial selection and total weight
consumed was dwarf-striped bamboo. This species had the thinnest
and shortest stems of the three - and the smallest leaves - whilst
arrow bamboo had the largest leaves but the sparsest leaf
distribution.
Regarding the platforms, it is possible that the apparent preference
for Platform 1 could be due to its elevated position and its
comparative concealment. Platform 2 and 3 are both more exposed:
Platform 2 being slightly more elevated than 3. This preference for
elevated platforms may be linked to the climbing and shelter-seeking
tendencies observed in pandas. This behaviours might be linked to
threat (e.g. predator) avoidance. As mentioned in the Red Panda
Best Practice Guidelines (Weerman, 2021), it is suggested that red
panda enclosures should include a range of accessible elevations,
resting spaces above public eye level, and climbing structures .

As the pandas under observation in this study could not be observed
for full 24-hour, round-the-clock, periods, it has been assumed that
there were no individual preferences when calculating the total
amount of bamboo consumed. So it must be acknowledged that
outside of the 15-minute observation period that one panda may
have demonstrated substantial consumption of a particular bamboo
species - while the other may have exhibited no discernible
preference. Investigating such variations would require either Eleanor Vise and Peter Garner are both keepers and Clare
Westwood is Mammals Team Leader at Drayton Manor Resort.

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