China - Giant Panda Conservation

General Info

Based in Chengdu the Panda Reserve in the east of Mt. Qionglai, and a 3-hour drive from Chengdu, it is a natural reserve of 200,000 hectares. A WWF founded sanctuary, this is an animal lover's dream. Plus, you have the chance to explore Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.

The park was created in 1963. This Panda Reserve is the earliest, largest and best-known panda reserve in China. It was placed on UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Network in 1980. Volunteers are needed to play a part in safeguarding the future of these amazing animals. The Giant Panda is one of the most delightful and captivating of animals, yet one of the most endangered species in the world. The best scientific estimates place the total number of all pandas at only about 1600.Their survival is Paramount. Saving this species is truly a race against time. We are now placing individuals and groups to volunteer at the Panda Conservation Base, which is a branch of the Wolong Panda base.

Volunteers would be required to:

•prepare food for the pandas such as apples, panda bread, carrots,
•carry lots of bamboo, serve them food,
•clean their enclosures,
•observe and do research on the pandas,
•and help in providing medical care for the pandas.
•There are also special projects you may work on subject to your technical or language ability. For example developing the Saturdays own web site. Help marketing and management of the sanctuary.
•You will also have time to watch and photograph the pandas.

You will also recieve authorised certification of your participation on the programme and the work involved on completion of your placement.
Extra options: You can add Mandarin lesson extensions. These will take place at the start of your project.

Call 02070384 3028 or check out www.gapforce.org