The Saga of the Panda Keeper

The backbones of the CCRCGP are the panda keepers. Mostly a thankless job, the keepers still seem to have a great deal of pride in their daily activities. From maid, chef, doctor, trainer, keepers are jacks-of-all-trades.

This 22 year old keeper has been working as a keeper for almost a year now. Keeper to Yi Bao and Xin Hui, he also helps oversee the work of the volunteers at the center.

Mornings begin around 9am with enclosure and den cleanings. Because it is all bamboo, panda droppings do not smell as badly as you may think. 

Keeper playing with Xin Hui after a feeding. 

Keepers are experts at keeping track of their panda’s diet. While cleaning, keepers account for the normal tendencies of each panda. The number of feces present, the amount of bamboo spread throughout the cage, and any differences to enrichment activities must be noted.

 

Keepers carrying out un-eaten or ripped apart bamboo from the panda enclosure.

After cleaning inside and out, the pandas are called in for 

their first feeding of the day. Pounds of bamboo are loaded into their cages for munching.

Myself feeding Yi Bao his afternoon "panda cakes". I am wearing the
uniform required by the center as well as my ID badge. 

The day flows through a certain rhythm. Keepers prepare the second feeding around 11am. This time the pandas are given a variety of tasty treats from “panda cakes” filled with vitamins, to carrots and apples. Volunteers are allowed to feed these to the pandas and sometimes sneak a pet or two.

Keepers and volunteers warming around the small heater. 

Lunch breaks for the keepers and volunteers, followed by another rounds of feedings at 2pm. Downtime for keepers and volunteers is usually spent in the Animal Management office. There a heater warms the hands and toes from the chilly mountain climate. Keepers and volunteers sometimes play cards or will watch shows on the internet (in Chinese off course).

The charts in the Animal Management Center tracking each panda. 

Sometimes in the afternoons, keepers will participate in enrichment activities with the bears. Researchers sometimes will place basketballs, ice blocks filled with treats, or bowls of different substances into the panda’s habitats to record their reactions. Although it may seem fun, each exercise is specific to a study being performed at the center.

The fourth and final feedings take place around 3:30pm, and consist again of panda cakes and bamboo. The diet of each individual panda varies. Some cannot have apples due to problems with their digestive track, while others require only small amounts of panda cakes. Each keeper has to track their panda’s needs and coordinate with other keepers to ensure a high quality of life each animals.