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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 in Yaían City.
Volunteers will need to fly to Chengdu China, then Yaían is about two hours out side of Chengdu.
Bifengxia welcomes individuals or groups to volunteer at the Bifengxia panda reserve. These trips 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. Remember to wear sturdy shoes. You might need a health certificate.
There are lodging faculties available in the area.
Following a short training/orientation:
Volunteer service might include but is not limited to:
- Cleaning panda areas and enclosures
- 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 time to watch and photograph the pandas.
Remember if you are hurt or injured neither the Bifengxia Center nor Pandas International is responsible. You might want to consider travel insurance.
Several travel agencies which have arrangements with the officials at Bifengxia can provide these trips. Pandas International does not provide travel services and is not affiliated with any travel agencies. These companies are listed as a service to those wishing to volunteer with the pandas. Itineraries and what is included does vary so please contact the travel agencies directly.
Remember donations made to Bifengxia 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 your panda through Pandas International when you return to the US.
All of the money is still sent to the Wolong or Bifengzia Panda Club, but 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.
For details go to http://www.orientvacations.com or
email Kim at kim@kimsworldtravel.com or
call Kim at Kim's World Travel 303-388-3813.
Posh Journeys has been offering
volunteer panda tours since 2002 in conjunction with their
Chinese partner Joe Zhou with whom the pioneered the first
volunteer programs. The panda volunteer tours focus on
working with the pandas and participants are expected to work,
not just walk around. All tours are escorted by senior guides
with excellent knowledge of English, as well as in depth knowledge
of the areas the groups visits. Participation is limited to
15 on each tour and are guaranteed to volunteer and splay with
the young pandas. In 2008, because of the Summer Olympics in
Beijing, there are only 4 tours offered plus one upscale
tour May 19 to June 1,which includes Beijing and Xian. The
volunteer tours depart the US on April 3, May 3, May 9 and
Oct. 9. A special departure in late May combines a trek
from Lhasa to Everest Base Camp with 3 days of panda volunteer
work.
For details go to: http://www.poshjourneys.com\panda_bear_tours.htm or
call Helga at Posh Journeys at 775-852-5105 or email at contact@poshjourneyscom.
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 Bifengzia 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
Discover China. In this day and age we believe it is important
that every one gets the chance to go out and explore our beautiful
world. In doing so we deepen our understanding of different races,
break down prejudice and learn to appreciate other cultures.
Discover China offers you a wide variety of trips to give a better
understanding of life in the local areas throughout China. We
will show you the most interesting places that this fascinating
country has to offer. By keeping our groups small we provide
a combination of flexibility, intimacy, and authentic cultural
experience. This allows you to slow down and appreciate the very
essence of traveling in China. We provide inclusive trips or
if you prefer only transport and hotel arrangements. Our elite
teams of local resident guides are well trained and versed in
Chinese culture, history and art, and are completely committed
to reveal the genuine China to you. Discover China is based in
Amsterdam.
Panda Travel and Tour Consultant based in
Chengdu Sichuan China offer travel information and consultant & tour
service over China, special for the information and consulting
of trace & trekking
for giant panda in the wild, closely enjoy the lovely giant
panda, cooperation with local government and natural reserves
in any project & program of panda conservation, donation
and adoption giant panda, as well as the education program
in panda conservation and study travel, also arrange bird watch
tour. And the tour supported by several other major tour
operator in China such as members of CITS (China International
Travel Service), OTC (Overseas Tourist Corp.), XHTS, CYTS,
CTS, YOTC etc and the local natural reserves, researching & breeding
center or house .” Please see http://www.chinagiantpanda.com/
Country Holidays, based in Singapore, specializes in cultural
and nature tours to Indochina, China, Mongolia, India, Bhutan,
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South America, Middle East and Anarctic.
Please see www.countryholidays.com.sg
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