Bamboo refining for giant pandas

ANDRITZ processes bamboo for Vienna Zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Austria

At the end of 2019, ANDRITZ received an order for an extraordinary project that not only pleased our sales and project managers responsible, but also the entire Mechanical Pulping Team of ANDRITZ’s Paper, Fiber and Recycling division.

ANDRITZ recently processed 500 kg of bamboo for the giant pandas at Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schönbrunn). The bamboo flour produced is the main ingredient used in steamed “bamboo bread”, which is needed to supplement the raw bamboo for the 20-year old giant panda Yuan Yuan, who has been in Vienna Zoo since April 2019. However, the female giant panda Yang Yang is also fed the bamboo flour, which is particularly important for female giant pandas when they area rearing young animals.

Bamboo refining for giant pandas at Vienna Zoo

Male giant panda Yuan Yuan in Vienna Zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn

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"The willingness of the ANDRITZ Team to take on the challenge of our bamboo grating problem was a great relief for the whole ‘panda team’ at Vienna Zoo. The way ANDRITZ dealt with this unusual and off-the-normal order was exceptionally kind and professional.”

Dr. Eveline Dungl
Zoological Curator and Animal Trainer

The pre-shredded raw material provided by the zoo was recently processed at the ANDRITZ Stock Preparation Pilot Plant in Graz using a CompaDis disperser. So far, Vienna Zoo had grated the bamboo stems with a special, but small technical device, but then approached ANDRITZ in search of a more efficient way to prepare the food for the giant pandas.

Arrival of pre-shredded bamboo

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Feeding bamboo into the ANDRITZ disperser

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Bamboo before and after processing

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Kiva Prinsloo, Animal keeper, Vienna Zoo

“For an animal lover like me, it is a pleasure having the Vienna Zoo among our customers. I hope that this extraordinary collaboration will continue for many years to come.”

Denis Jozic

Process and Technology
ANDRITZ Paper, Fiber and Recycling division

“Although we have experience with all kinds of fibers, producing food for giant pandas was something new for us. The whole pilot plant team is proud of this project.”

Laura Liukkonen

Director of Pilot Plant
ANDRITZ Paper, Fiber and Recycling division

ANDRITZ is very proud to be part of such a worthwhile collaboration project and was happy to hear that Yuan Yuan immediately enjoyed his freshly prepared food!

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From left to right: Dr. Eveline Dungl, Zoological Curator and Animal Trainer; Laura Hinterndorfer, Animal Keeper, Kiva Prinsloo, Animal Keeper, and Denis Jozic, Process and Technology, ANDRITZ Paper, Fiber and Recycling division

All-round protection for giant pandas

Since 2003, the Vienna Zoo has been one of only a few zoos worldwide to house giant pandas. The threatened bears are the most well-known symbol of species protection. The work of the Vienna Zoo’s panda protection program includes financial support for panda reserves, important research work, and a regular exchange of knowledge on such topics as wildlife management and ecotourism.

Vienna Zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn

Visit the world’s oldest zoo

Stock preparation pilot plant

Customer trials, research and development.

Mechanical pulp

Technology for mechanical pulp producers.