Glycosphingolipids were isolated from the brain of giant panda and brown bear, and their distribution and constituents were investigated in detail. The content and general profiles of lipid classes were similar in giant panda and bear brain, being typical of those of adult mammalian brain. Cerebroside fatty acid ester (ester cerebroside) was found in the cerebellum as well as cerebrum. A fused-silica capillary column coated with OV-101 was found to be efficient for GLC analysis of fatty acids prepared from brain glycosphingolipids. These fatty acids consisted of hydroxy and nonhydroxy components in a ratio of about 60:40 in cerebroside and 30:70 in sulfatide. Amide-linked fatty acids of ester cerebroside were richer in hydroxy components (70% of the total). The proportions of individual fatty acids of glycosphingolipids were almost identical in giant panda and brown bear, with 24:0, 24:1, 24 h:0, 24 h:1 and 18:0 being the major components. The distribution and constituents of gangliosides were essentially similar to those generally found in mammals: stearic acid accounted for almost 90% of the total, and the long-chain base consisted of sphingenine and icosasphingenine in a ratio of 65:35. Some discrepancies between a previous study on the giant panda "Chi-Chi" in London Zoo and the present study are discussed.