EFFECTS OF PREFERENCE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF LOCAL BAMBOO TOWARDS GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CAPTIVE GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) IN ZOO NEGARA, MALAYSIA

Two captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were observed for nutritional preferences over a period of seven months from 21st May until 31st December 2014 at the Zoo Negara Malaysia. Nutritional analyses were conducted on six local bamboo species which were fed to both pandas. It is evident in the present study that they prefer the culms of Dendrocalamus asper followed by culms of Bambusa vulgaris and bamboo leaves from Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa vulgaris f. waminii and Thyrsostachys seamensis. Their preferences towards these local bamboo species correspond to the different nutrient values which contained high fibre in the culms and high protein and fat in the leaves. The overall feeding behaviour were well established and the growth performances were satisfactory suggesting that they have successfully adapted to the feeding regime. The pandas were observed to be in good health, active and alert with these bamboo diets throughout the study period