At the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., giant panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle dashes from enclosure to enclosure in preparation for a highly anticipated annual celebration.
"They go above and beyond every year," MacCorkle told Rare via phone, regarding the in-depth planning and organization by the zoo's nutritional and public relations departments.
Panda cubs Bei Bei, 1, Bao Bao, 3, and papa bear Tian Tian, 19, are celebrating a cluster of August birthdays with delicious bamboo treats, vegetables and a uniquely made frozen cake. Mei Xiang is the mother of the two cubs who recently celebrated her 18th birthday in July.
MacCorkle, who has led the enrichment and well-being of pandas at the National Zoo for nearly two decades, is among the many who are thrilled to attend such an exciting moment.
Each morning, MacCorkle and her team of wildlife experts begin feeding the giant bears. Shortly afterward, outdoor exercises take place. Embracing such an unconventional career is a passion for MacCorkle, as it has inevitably evolved into much success in the conservation of the planet’s most special species.
"There really isn't an average day in animal keeping in general," she said. "We don't like the kind of 9-to-5 stable thing."
Bei Bei, who quickly became a social media sensation, is perhaps the most "gentle" being within his family of vegetarians. He is commonly seen eating sweet potatoes and enjoying a cool shower on a hot summer day.
"He's a very special little bear," MacCorkle said. "He's got a lot of traits of both his mom and dad. He's very confident, but he's also very laid back. He's also very inquisitive like his mom."
MacCorkle is confident that Bei Bei will maintain his mellow and compassionate demeanor, unlike other giant pandas who grow to become quite big and, oftentimes, precarious.
"I don't think I would use the descriptor of gentle," MacCorkle said regarding the species as a whole. "Each individual panda has different personality traits. Even if they were very relaxed, you just wouldn't wanna be in the same space at the same time."
MacCorkle admits that she and her team do not enter the enclosure with Bei Bei’s older sister, Bao Bao, as she is now capable causing “injuries.”
"We consider her a sub-adult at this point," she said. "Bei Bei is quickly approaching the size where we reassess what we're doing. Given his really calm demeanor, we may be able to get a little more time in with him."
Each year, the National Zoo nutrition department creates a cake for the pandas, in lieu of their time spent in captivity. Because their diet consists of nearly 90 percent bamboo, nutritionists include the main food source as well as other treats including juice and vegetables to create a frozen dessert.
Despite a primarily vegetarian diet, MacCorkle admits that pandas would not turn down a protein source in the wild. However, there is not much evidence showing that the animals would hunt for meat.
“They kind of have this weird place in nature,” she said.
When asked if the pandas, who typically eat and sleep for a majority of the day, would fall asleep during the birthday celebration, MacCorkle responded, "They always do."
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