Toys For Pandas – Part 1

/ Post by Pandas International

Along with the annual support of medical programs, bamboo reforestation, and providing milk and food for pandas in Bifengxia and Wolong, Pandas International has a goal this year of funding toys for the pandas!

It may sound a bit frivolous to spend our limited funding on toys, but we assure you it is vitally important. Toys provide what is called “behavioral enrichment,” or “environmental enrichment” for captive animals. Enrichment is a practice that seeks to enhance the quality of captive animal care by identifying and providing the environmental stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological well being. The goal of environmental enrichment is to improve or maintain an animal’s physical and psychological health by increasing range or number of species-specific behaviors and increasing positive utilization of the captive environment. Enrichment has been shown to prevent or reduce the frequency of abnormal behaviors such as the pacing and other repetitive and/or stereotypical behaviors often displayed by animals in captivity. 

Pandas International has a goal of providing every enclosure at Bifengxia and Wolong with enrichment items. Currently there are a total of 58 enclosures at Bifengxia and there are 59 planned enclosures at the new Wolong Center. Each enclosure will be given a jungle gym and an assortment of balls and other toys with your help. Pandas of all ages truly enjoy climbing and swinging on a daily basis. With the help of our generous supporters, we know that we can truly make a difference in the lives of all of our captive Giant Pandas this year.