Canadian Zoo to Return Giant Pandas to China
I read this week that Calgary Zoo has decided to return its two giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, to China due to difficulties getting enough bamboo to feed them. The coronavirus pandemic has caused flights to be limited, so getting a steady supply of bamboo flown in has become a challenge.
Er Shum and Da Mao spent five years at the Toronto Zoo before moving to Calgary in 2018. They were scheduled to remain in Calgary until 2023. The zoo's president said the safest thing to do for the animals is to return them to China, where their food supply is abundant. The risk of not being able to provide food is unacceptable.
Fresh bamboo makes up 99% of the panda diet, with each adult panda consuming about 88 pounds a day. In other areas where there are zoos with giant pandas, the bamboo can be grown locally, but that is not the case in Calgary. I'm sure this was a difficult decision to make, but the welfare of the pandas is the most important thing.
6 comments:
Wise move. Why force something that isn't working?
Good to see the pandas welfare comes first...makes you stop and think how many things are being disrupted in this time of the virus.
Pamela: I think this is a wonderful idea, I bet they were traumatized when they came to this part of the world, I am happy this is happening.
Have a great week.
Catherine
Good that the zoo has made the decision that is best for the pandas welfare.
Very interesting and a wise move. Those pandas are so wonderful!
It's sad for the zoo, but I'm happy they made this decision for the panda's sake instead of going for the profitable choice!
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