Some photos of our volunteers "in action" at the reserves
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Volunteering at the Bifengxia Panda Reserve
Pandas International is a non-profit organization located in Littleton, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Even though we are not located in China, we can offer experienced based advice on volunteering opportunities with the pandas. You will volunteer for the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Pandas not Pandas International.
If you are interested in volunteering, you will need to arrange your own travel to and from China and to and from the Bifengxia Panda Reserve. You may use one of the travel agencies listed on our website for assistance. If you have arranged your own travel, you may contact us and we'll be happy to give you the necessary contact information for scheduling volunteer opportunities and what tasks you might expect to perform at the Bifengxia Panda Reserve. Once the rebuilding at the Wolong Panda Center is completed, programs and staff in place, opportunities for volunteering will again be possible.
Few things are as delightful as observing the wonders of the Giant Panda first hand. Visitors can spend hours watching the playful cubs, or, they can volunteer and provide hands on help to the pandas' keepers.
The Bifengxia Panda Center is currently accepting visitors and volunteers. Due to the May 2008 earthquake, the Wolong Panda Center is closed to the public. Most of the Wolong pandas have been relocated to the sister Center, Bifengxia, outside Ya'an City.
Volunteers will need to fly to Chengdu, China, and then travel to Ya’an which is about two hours outside of Chengdu. After the Wolong Center is rebuilt, volunteers will once again be accepted.
Trips to Bifengxia must be arranged by qualified individuals or travel agencies. Depending on the time of year and the tour you select, volunteer service will cost approximately $100 per day for lodging, food, uniforms, etc.
In order to volunteer, you should be in generally good health, so we advise you to bring a statement from your Doctor stating that you are in good health. Remember to wear sturdy shoes.
Children under the age of 10 are generally not allowed to volunteer.
There are lodging facilities available in the area which can be arranged by your travel agent.
Following a short training/orientation, volunteer service might include but not be limited to:
- Cleaning panda areas and enclosures
- Cleaning general areas of the Panda Centers
- Preparing food for the pandas such as carrots, apples, panda bread and their nutritional biscuits
- Carrying lots of bamboo
- Sometimes you might be able to help collect behavioral data
You will also have plenty of time to watch and photograph the pandas.
Remember if you are hurt or injured, neither the Panda Center nor Pandas International is responsible/liable. We suggest you consider travel insurance.
The travel agencies listed below have arrangements with selected Panda Centers to provide Panda tours and/or opportunities to volunteer. Their experience and itineraries may vary.
Guidelines for Volunteers
The following should be kept in mind as you enjoy the unique experience of spending some "up close and personal time" with the pandas and their caretakers:
- No matter how "adorable" they look, the animals are not pets or toys and should not be treated as such. They have sharp teeth, strong jaws and powerful claws so even a playful interaction can cause harm.
- Volunteers need to be prepared for relatively hard work as they assist the caretakers in their daily chores.
- Since pandas spend about 14 hours a day eating and don't efficiently digest their food, expect a lot of "shoveling" as part of your volunteering.
- You'll also be called on to help carry bamboo to the pandas, and to sweep up the old bamboo.
- Expect to spend some time chopping up various foods for the pandas. If you are helping to feed them, remember pandas have strong jaws so be sure to remove your hand from what you';re feeding before they do!
- If you participate in photographing in the Kindergarten, be especially aware of behaviors that could be a risk to your safety. Following safety protocol is key to having a wonderful and safe experience.
- Remember that new, young Chinese caretakers will have a cultural prohibition against telling a foreign tourist to stop something they shouldn't be doing.
- Keeping these things in mind will help assure a problem free, unforgettable experience.
To arrange a volunteering opportunity please e-mail the Bifengxia Panda reserve at pandavolunteers@gmail.com.
The travel agencies listed below have arrangements with selected Panda Centers to provide Panda tours and/or opportunities to volunteer. Their experience and itineraries may vary.
Pandas International does not provide travel services, is not financially affiliated with any travel agency, makes no recommendations concerning the agencies, and does not assume any responsibilities regarding their services.
Prospective travel agencies may contact info@pandasinternational.org for information.
And remember, donations made to the Panda Centers directly are not tax deductible according to the Internal Revenue Service. So, if you wish to adopt a panda, pick your panda while in China then adopt it through Pandas International when you return to the US. All of the money is still sent to the Wolong or Bifengxia Panda Club, and you will receive a legal tax deduction.
Kim's World Travel specializes in travel to the Orient and works
with Mr. Peter Wood of West China Adventures for Eco tours to
the panda reserves. Kim can provide both individualize trips
with volunteer work or fully escorted trips including both the
panda reserve and other destinations in China such as Beijing,
Chengdu, Wolong, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Guilin and
Hong Kong. English speaking guides are always provided. Kim's
World Travel makes a donation from each tour to Pandas International.
Visit www.orientvacations.com or
email Kim at kim@kimsworldtravel.com or
call Kim at Kim's World Travel: 303-388-3813.
 Access China Tours (ACT) is a leading tour company specialized in arranging high quality tours and trips to China and its neighboring regions.
View information at http://accesschinatours.com/private-and-custom-tours/china-panda-tour-volunteering/ or contact info@accesschinatours.com
Download the 2013 Panda Volunteering Program and the Reservation Form.
West China Adventure. If you are already in China or wish a personalized
tour or volunteer experience, please contact Mr. Peter Wood at
West
China
Adventures.
Mr. Wood has excellent contacts and relations with the Panda
Center in Chengdu, the Bifengxia Panda Center and the primer
center for the giant pandas at the Wolong Nature Reserve. Peter
can customize any type of trip you would like. Please see www.westchinaadventures.com or email
info@westchinaadventures.com
Note: Credit cards may not be accepted in all parts of China. Wire transfers are sometimes necessary for payment.
Cost to Volunteer
The cost to volunteer for one day at Bifengxia is approximately $15.00 (100RMB). Each guest will also need to rent a work uniform which can be used for up to 7 days and is approximately $23 (150 RMB) for the week. All costs can change daily depending on the currency rate.
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