Description

The Giant Pandas, the cuddly bears of China, are on the verge of extinction with only 1600 alive. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to work with these adorable animals, helping with the feeding of adults and caring for the cubs at a beautiful rehabilitation centre. If you can tear yourself away for a moment, you can sail down the Yangtze, take in ancient rock carvings in the mountains, trek across terraced rice paddies, or party the night away in Chengdu city!

* What Will I Be Doing?

You will be provided with introductory talks by the sanctuary staff to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and brief you on the work you will be doing. Work will include feeding the pandas and helping with general day-to-day maintenance work - cleaning the pandas' enclosures and taking care of any cubs. Giant Pandas are very strong and can be fierce, so you will not be able to handle them. It is sometimes possible to hold baby pandas, but the sanctuary usually charges an extra fee for this privilege. You will learn about all aspects of panda life and assist the centre staff with the feeding and everyday running of the park. As well as helping prepare the pandas' food you may also help the sanctuary scientists to collect valuable data about the behaviour of the pandas, which could ultimately benefit the wild populations in China.In addition to this you may be able to assist with medical examinations and breeding efforts. The average work day involves a 3-hour morning and a 2.5-hour afternoon shift. Entrance fees to the park are included in your contribution.

Highlights

* Make lifelong friendships.
* Immerse yourself in true Chinese culture.
* Care for cute Giant Panda cubs!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,400

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Before you go

* Pre-departure support
* Travel & medical advice & documentation
* Equipment advice
* Discounted medical kit
* Free Frontier t-shirt

In-country

* Food
* Accommodation
* Local orientation
* Project training
* Ground transfers & in-transit accommodation
* Airport pick-up
* In-country emergency support
* 24-hour international HQ backup

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Veterinary
• Volunteering

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Frontier's Mission Statement

To conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalized and under resourced communities in the world's poorest countries. To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of low income communities.

Year Founded

1989