In captive environments, if the living conditions of giant pandas are overly monotonous and their activity space is limited compared to the wild, it can lead to certain mechanical, repetitive behaviors such as pacing in circles or head bobbing. This is a way for giant pandas to adapt to their environment and alleviate stress, similar to how humans might pace back and forth or bite their nails when under pressure. These types of behaviors are known as “stereotypic behaviors.”
To prevent such issues, professional institutions implement various “enrichment” measures to simulate the natural environment of wild giant pandas as much as possible. This includes adding bamboo, vegetation, water sources, rocks, climbing structures, and toys to their enclosures to enrich their environment and lives.
