Edinburgh Zoo is busy preparing for the eagerly-awaited arrival their giant pandas, and has taken the step of growing their own panda bamboo.
Edinburgh Zoo is busy preparing for the eagerly-awaited arrival their giant pandas, and has taken the step of growing their own panda bamboo. The move to grow their own bamboo is a step towards being able to provide sustenance for the panda pair when they arrive at the end of the year.
The bamboo will be grown in the grounds of the zoo but will only provide approximately 15% of the panda's total 18,000kg intake. The remaining bamboo will be bought in specially from a German firm. Pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang will be introduced to their Edinburgh home in December and visitors to the zoo will be able to view the panda nursery from a glass walk way.
The breeding pair will consume 20 three-metre long bamboo stems a day and will need about 25 different species of plants over the years in order to replicate their native diet. The zoo is hoping to increase the amount of vegetation it can provide for the panda itself after the first three years.
Simon Jones, Edinburgh Zoo's gardens manager, said: 'Our bamboo strategy is the result of more than three years of research, planning and exhaustive negotiations with suppliers across the UK and Europe. 'Our starting point was to ensure a long-term supply of fresh bamboo that was both sustainable and cost-effective.' Mr Jones said bamboo formed a fundamental part of the giant panda diet, so the zoo had to guarantee consistency of supply and ensure the bamboo was of the highest possible quality.
Pandas are also known to be quite partial to rats, mice, pikas, and insects and the zoo will have to consider these needs also. We wish the zoo lots luck in their preparations for their exciting new arrivals!
Like this on Facebook, share it with your Twitter followers:
Other news items you may be interested in:
Edinburgh Fringe tickets on sale
Taste of Edinburgh attracts top chefs
Edinburgh Castle most popular attraction
By Amanda ArnoldThe Stone Roses played a surprise 11 song set at Warrington Parr Hall last night, their first gig in 16 years.
By Amanda ArnoldThe Scissor Sisters are planning to dress regally for their royal bash at the Tower of London in cel…
By Paul ArnoldWith the French Open starting at Roland Garros next week Rafael Nadal has struck an important psycho…
By Amanda ArnoldRonan Keating has announced on Twitter this afternoon that he will be performing a fourteen-date tou…
By Lucy MiddletonStaines in Surrey has officially changed its name to Staines-upon-Thames in an attempt to boost the town's image.
By Amanda ArnoldRobin Gibb one of the three brothers who made up the Bee Gees has lost his fight against liver and c…
By Amanda ArnoldThe Queen of Disco Donna Summer has died at the age of 63 after secretly battling with cancer.
By Paul ArnoldIn a unexpected move Liverpool's American owners have sacked manager Kenny Dalglish only a year afte…
By Paul ArnoldManchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been left out of England's Euro 2012 Championship's 23 …
By Amanda ArnoldHere's hoping that summer will kick in soon as in less than 100 days the biggest and best festival i…
The Negative Effects of TourismWith tourism being one of the world's largest industries, we look at the impact that tourism and travel is having on our natural resources, and how sustainable tourism aims to minimise the problems associated with global tourism.
The Oldest Theatres in BritainGenerations of actors have trod the boards in some of the finest theatre buildings all over Britain. Luckily, some of the oldest theatres still remain in use to this day, proving just how important theatre is as an expression of our culture, and as a form of entertainment that is available to all. The following 10 theatres are among the oldest in Britain, but they are still in business today. Hopefully, they'll still be around in another 100 years time.
Album Review: Lady Gaga - Born This WayBritEvents' Lucy Middleton takes a look at the second studio album, 'Born This Way', by Lady Gaga, the fastest-selling album of the year. Does it meet expectations or fall sadly short?
London Olympics 2012 - be wowedForget about the London 2012 Olympic logo - get ready to be wowed! We look at what the forthcoming games have in store for both athletes and Londoners, detailing some of the venues that will be used for the games, the events that will be held, and what the city will be lifet with after the London Olympics have finished.
Published by 