Adelaide Zoo’s pandas are having a bamboot-iful time thanks to a unique partnership with SA Water. Together, they have created a one-of-a-kind bamboo plantation fuelled by recycled water to keep the furry foodies happy.
Since 2009, the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant in Northern Adelaide has been pivotal in growing bamboo for the zoo’s famed pandas, Wang Wang, Fu Ni, and the more recent additions, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan.
Dr Lionel Ho, Senior Manager of Water Expertise at SA Water, outlined the benefits of this initiative, stating that it not only supports the dietary needs of the pandas, but also highlights the critical role of advanced water management in wildlife conservation and ecological sustainability.
“Our facility at Bolivar helps grow a diverse range of bamboo, which is harvested up to three times a week to ensure freshness when it reaches the pandas,” Dr Ho explained.
The care and resources dedicated to the project cater to the pandas’ appetite, especially Xing Qiu who consumes around 30 kilograms of bamboo daily – around three times more than the typical panda.
Images: Adelaide Zoo
The bamboo cultivation utilises approximately 60,000 kilolitres of recycled water every three years, but new sustainability efforts aim to reduce this to about 35,000.
“This optimised use of recycled water meets agricultural standards and supports not only the pandas but also other zoo residents such as monkeys and koalas through additional vegetation growth,” Dr Ho added.
Initially established in 1997 as a source of eucalyptus for koalas, the plantation was repurposed to support the zoo’s growing panda family from 2009, turning it into a crucial element of Adelaide Zoo’s panda care program. This initiative is now a key part of the panda care program, growing a mix of bamboo species and ensuring a diverse and nutritious diet for our furry friends.
Not only that, the partnership extends beyond bamboo cultivation. SA Water also contributes to the welfare of animals at Monarto Safari Park, maintaining waterholes for a range of species, including Nile Hippos and Southern White Rhinos, and the park’s newest elephant residents, Burma and Permai.
Dr Ho highlighted the overall impact of this collaboration, noting, “The partnership helps improve animal welfare and local biodiversity and shows the critical importance of water in ongoing conservation efforts. It is a key factor in the success of our plantation, promoting a sustainable environment where the land is managed considerately for the benefit of the animals.”
Through these efforts, SA Water and Adelaide Zoo continue to demonstrate how innovative ecological management can aid in the preservation of endangered species and promote biodiversity.
The success of the bamboo plantation stands as a model for similar conservation initiatives globally, proving that with the right resources, anything—even keeping up with Xing Qiu’s enormous appetite—is possible.
WHERE: Adelaide Zoo, Plane Tree Dr, Adelaide
For more info: www.adelaidezoo.com.au
