Volunteers will dedicate 4-to-6 hours a day working alongside professional panda keepers, assisting in the preparation of the animals’ food, including apples, panda bread, carrots and, of course, their favourite meal, bamboo! During the program, volunteers will feed them the food that they have prepared, clean their enclosures and ensure their safety.
Please note panda keepers generally feed them two times per afternoon. However, this schedule may vary depending on each giant panda’s condition and other circumstances. We cannot guarantee specific feeding times, nor can we guarantee that every participant will have the opportunity to feed a panda. The assignment of feeding tasks is exclusively handled by the panda keepers.
For this program, you’ll have two orientation days. On Monday, you’ll receive a tour of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre, explore some of the city’s attractions, and sample local cuisine. On Tuesday, you’ll be relocated to the specific panda center to which you have been assigned. There, you’ll undergo a guided tour and receive basic training to better understand the project and the tasks you’ll be expected to perform.
As a participant in this unique volunteering program, you are also free to explore the panda reserve, an opportunity that regular visitors usually have to pay for. You’ll have the chance to visit the panda nursery (typically from July to September), the animal rescue center, educational facilities, and more. For your safety and that of the pandas, please avoid venturing too far into the forest and always follow the instructions of the panda keepers.
Keep in mind that pandas are naturally wild and tend to be lethargic animals, so they require some alone time to relax.
During the pandas’ rest periods, we offer many Chinese classes and other cultural activities that you are welcome to participate in. Some of these activities include:
- Chinese classes (every day from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, sign up required)
- Mahjong (Chinese chess)
- Chinese calligraphy
- Papercraft
Please note that the volunteers will need to stay for a minimum period of one week.
Accommodation: Chengdu is the capital city of the Chinese province of Sichuan, and is also one of the three most inhabited cities of western China. Chengdu is one of western China’s most important economic, financial, commercial, cultural, transportation and communication hubs.
