Space use and feeding behaviour of a pair of zoo-housed red pandas (Ailurus fulgens)

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is listed as “endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since its population has declined by 50% over the last three generations. The ex-situ conservation of this species is of pivotal importance to counteract the dramatic trend toward their extinction. Improving the knowledge about their ethology and nutritional requirements is necessary to ensure the welfare of the individuals kept under human care. The aim of this study was to investigate the space use and feeding behaviour of a pair of specimens hosted at Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia over a period of sixteen days across two seasons, summer and winter. Their activity level was recorded with a continuous focal sampling method with a camera during the day. During the night their activity was recorded using camera traps positioned in the enclosure. Bamboo, feed and residues were weighted each day and samples of bamboo, feed and faeces were collected during the entire period of the study for the analysis of digestibility.