Prospective Study on the Excretion of Mucous Stools and its Association with Age Gender and Feces Output in Captive Giant Pandas

摘要

Simple SummaryCaptive pandas may excrete mucous stools, which are often accompanied by discomfort and decreased activity. Thus, the excretion of mucous stools is a welfare concern for pandas kept in zoos. In this study, we documented the frequency of mucous excretions and the daily feces weights of 18 giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the Beijing Zoo from April 2003 to June 2017. We also explored possible associations between the excretion of mucous stools and the pandas’ gender, age, and feces output. During the study, 900 cases of mucous excretion occurred over 32,856 observation days. The frequency of mucous excretion was negatively correlated with the feces output and positively correlated with the pandas’ age. No correlation with gender was found. Moreover, the mean frequency of mucus occurrence showed monthly changes, with one significant peak in October, and the time series analyses showed that the time (month) change imposed the strongest negative effect on fecal output, while the biggest effects on fecal output and mucus excretion both occurred in August (seasonal factors were −2.261 and 0.0126, respectively). Our findings not only add to the literature concerning pandas but are also helpful for enhancing their welfare. Further studies addressing the underlying mechanisms for the occurrence of mucus in captive pandas are needed.