Humans will grow old, and giant pandas are no exception. In captivity, the average lifespan of giant pandas is about 25 years, which is equivalent to about 90 years for humans. By the age of 20, they have entered the old age stage. So, how do elderly giant pandas spend their old age?
First of all, the food of elderly giant pandas needs to be adjusted according to their physical condition. Generally speaking, they need small and frequent meals every day, first eating bamboo with crude fiber, and then fine feed, fruits and vegetables. For elderly giant pandas with bad or missing teeth, breeders will chop bamboo leaves into pieces, mix them with other food into salads, and put them in a basin for them to eat. For elderly giant pandas whose digestive function has declined, breeders will use liquid feed instead of steamed buns, and add some easily absorbed nutrients, such as amino acids, to ensure that they can consume sufficient and balanced nutrition every day.
Secondly, special attention should be paid to the potential diseases of elderly giant pandas. As they age, they are prone to some geriatric diseases, such as gastroenteritis, cataracts, hypertension, periodontal disease, epilepsy, tumors, etc., which will affect their quality of life and happiness. Therefore, in order to allow elderly giant pandas to have a comfortable and secure life in their later years, breeders must provide them with medical care, including regular physical examinations, trimming nails, preventing heat and cold, avoiding stress, observing behaviors, etc. .
Finally, some old giant pandas also display amazing fertility. For example, in 2017, Haizi of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center successfully gave birth to a healthy cub at the age of 23, setting a world record for the oldest captive giant panda to give birth.
In a word, this shows that old giant pandas are not infertile. As long as they have a suitable partner and environment, they can also become happy mothers. Elderly giant pandas need more care and attention from us, let us bless them together!