Sussex zoo hungry pandas prompt Drusillas bamboo plea

Drusillas has appealed for supplies of fresh bamboo to feed two red pandas

The "enormous appetites" of two red pandas have led a zoo to appeal to gardeners for supplies of fresh bamboo.

Drusillas in Alfriston said Tibao and Mulan had arrived from Asson Zoo in France and Paignton Zoo in Devon as part of a European breeding programme.

The East Sussex zoo said the pair had eaten them out of root and shoot, consuming up to two kilos a day and its plantation was struggling to keep up.

Zoo manager Sue Woodgate said Drusillas could not grow bamboo fast enough.

She said Tibao preferred black bamboo and Mulan liked small, leafy stems but any bamboo was good as long as it was fresh and healthy.