The influence of food-based enrichment on the behaviour of captive red pandas Ailurus fulgens fulgens

Developing simple and creative ways to feed captive animals, especially those kept for captive breeding programs is important because food-based enrichment has a beneficial effect on animal welfare. The red panda, subject of this study, is threatened with extinction and needs support in developing a successful captive breeding program. The Indian captive population of red pandas exhibit stereotypic behaviour, which could impact negatively on species health and hamper captive breeding success. Therefore, to combat stress, zoos must design effective enrichment programs, such as food-based enrichments which are key to optimum animal welfare. I investigated the effect of bamboo dispersal, i.e., bamboo distributed spatially in the enclosure (mimicking the red panda’s natural habitat), compared to bamboo served on a feeding platform and how it affected red panda behaviours such as pacing, aggression, foraging and behavioural diversity. Results revealed that dispersing the bamboo (known as food-based enrichment) increased the level of behavioural diversity significantly by 1.6 times (p < 0.05), whereas foraging by 3.6 times although insignificant. Similarly, pacing decreased by 5.8 times and aggression by almost three times in the subjects (p < 0.05). Individual analysis suggests that behavioural diversity in the male doubled when food dispersed around the enclosure (p < 0.05). This suggests that spatially distributing bamboo stimulates foraging behaviour and limits stereotypical behaviour, such as pacing, in captive red pandas. This study showed that planning simple yet innovative food-based enrichments in captivity promotes natural behaviours and reduces abnormal behaviours supporting species conservation.