“Fruit and vegetable popsicles” are frozen treats made from diluted fruit juices, such as apple juice or grape juice, with slices of fruit embedded inside. Giant pandas prefer cold temperatures and are sensitive to heat. Therefore, during the summer months, keepers provide ice blocks to help pandas cool down. Offering reasonable amounts of “fruit and vegetable popsicles” for pandas to chew and play with is an effective form of food enrichment.
Usually, when the pandas lick these popsicles, most of the juice melts before they consume it. However, the process of trying to eat the food inside the popsicle serves to enrich their lives in captivity. This activity not only provides a way to cool down but also supplements their nutrition and enhances their overall well-being.
In essence, “fruit and vegetable popsicles” are more than just a cooling treat for giant pandas. They play a crucial role in making the pandas’ lives in captivity more engaging and stimulating, helping to mimic the challenges they would face in the wild. This enrichment strategy contributes to their physical and mental health, making it a valuable practice in panda conservation and care.