Care For and Conserve Pandas in China

The focus is on protecting and building a safe environment to begin the possible reintroduction of Giant Pandas into the wild. Give your time to caring for and researching these magnificent gentle giants as they go about their daily lives in the largest Panda base in China. The Giant Panda is very loved around the world, but sadly there are only 1,600 left.

Flexibility is essential and your duties may vary depending on what is required of you at the time. Responsibilities include:
* You may also be asked to conduct some research into their habits and health, in order to expand the knowledge of how best to care for these highly endangered species.
* Preparing the food and feeding the Giant Pandas. 99% of their diet is bamboo, however the balance usually consists of rice gruel, high fiber biscuits, carrots, apples and sweet potatoes.
* Cleaning of the Giant Panda enclosures, and the nursery.

A typical programme is as follows, but this will vary from week to week and season to season.

SUNDAY:
Pick up from Chengdu airport. You will be collected from Chengdu airport by one of our English speaking co-ordinators who will transfer you to the city where you will stay for two nights.

MONDAY:
After a morning's rest, you can take a tour the city of Chengdu including local markets, parks and the famous ancient pedestrian street of Kuan-zhai Alley. Visit the Business quarter. Later, join us at the welcome dinner in one of the City’s restaurants.

TUESDAY:
Transfer to the Panda Reserve (3 hours by bus). Lunch at the Panda base.
Afternoon briefing and introduction to the work you will be doing.
Also registration (where you will be issued with your uniform, volunteer card etc).
Guided tour of the Panda base and meet the panda keepers whom you will be assisting.
Dinner at the hostel restaurant.

WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY:
For the next 3 days you will work as an assistant to the Panda Keeper. General duties will include cleaning, preparing food, chopping and carrying bamboo.

SATURDAY:
8:00 am transfer to Chengdu City/airport (arriving Chengdu airport at approximately 11.00 a.m) for your departure. Afternoon flights are recommended.

If your programme is for longer than one week, you can explore the local area or go further afield. Your next week working at the Panda Base will start on Monday and go through to Friday .

FOOD:
At the Centre at the Panda Base you will be provided with three meals a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. These will be Chinese dishes typical of the local area, comprising mainly rice, noodles and vegetables with some meat.

Accommodation at the Panda Base:
You'll then be transferred to the Panda Base. The Centre in the Ya’an Panda base has been chosen to give you a special environment for your visit to China. It is located 1,100 metres above sea-level with an average temperature of 15 degrees. It is perfect for the pandas – and for you!

The Centre is in a pleasant, cosy, recently renovated hostel. Accommodation is in twin rooms with TV, 24-hour hot water and toilets. If you prefer, upgrade options are available (please contact us for further details). Laundry facilities are available for a small charge (roughly 20 CNY each time). Other facilities include; free wi-fi and a book cabinet with a few books in different languages. There’s also a small shop where you are able to buy the basics like drinks and snacks.

Accommodation at Chengdu:
When you arrive, your accommodation for the first two nights will be at Chengdu. Here you'll stay in a hostel room with between 4 and 6 other people. It has a shared bathroom.

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