TWO red pandas have enjoyed a free bamboo supper after a donation of invasive bamboo to a Sussex zoo.

Invasive plant removal firm Environet UK donated several kilos of fresh bamboo to Drusillas Park within an hour of being cut from the garden of a nearby property for nine-year-old female Mulan and three-year-old male Maja to eat.

Red pandas consume up to two kilos of bamboo a day, but will turn their noses up if it’s anything less than freshly chopped.

Drusillas head keeper Gemma Romanis said: “Our own plantation has been struggling to keep up with our pandas’ enormous appetite, eating up to two kilograms a day each, so we are enormously grateful for this very kind donation from Environet, who also brought one of Maja and Mulan’s favourite times of bamboo.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve recently spotted some promising behaviours which might mean babies are on the cards very soon.”

The Argus: Ant Aslett and Aiden Bushnell from Environet, left, handing the extracted bamboo to Thea Fox and Danya Turner from Drusillas ParkAnt Aslett and Aiden Bushnell from Environet, left, handing the extracted bamboo to Thea Fox and Danya Turner from Drusillas Park

Although hungry red pandas put bamboo top of their list, it is less popular among homeowners and gardeners due to its invasive nature and the distance its roots can travel - pushing in excess of ten metres.

It can also push up through brickwork, drains, patios and even concrete.

Environet, which regularly excavates bamboo for homeowners and businesses, has been looking for new environmentally-friendly ways to dispose of plant waste and donating excavated bamboo to zoos and wildlife parks gave the company an excellent way to dispose of the plant with minimal waste, while helping support the health and wellbeing of the animals.

Nic Seal, founder and managing director of the firm, said: “Putting excavated plant material to good use is one of our biggest challenges and I can’t think of a better way to dispose of a van load of bamboo than to donate it to beautiful Mulan and Maja.

“We look forward to making further donations in the future to ensure the Drusillas pandas are kept well-stocked with their favourite food.”

Mulan and Maja are among the most popular animals at the park in Alfriston, with around 350,000 coming to see them every year.

Maja arrived at the zoo in 2019 to join Mulan as part of an international breeding scheme.