Are you looking to volunteer with animals on a gap year? Would you like to help a unique wildlife program? How about the opportunity to travel to the far east and work at a conservation and research center for Giant Pandas in China? If this experience appeals to you read on for more information and how you can apply.
How You Can Help Panda Conservation
There are several nature reserves in places like Chengdu, the capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan province which are dedicated to preserving animals, specifically the giant panda.
To help prevent the panda from going extinct, panda behaviour and bamboo ecology is studied at the Wolong Nature Reserve, the Bi Feng Xia Nature Reserve and similar locations. The centers then share their research with other research centers in China and around the world to improve the lives and increase the population of pandas.
Volunteering placements are available here to work with giant pandas as well as other animals including China’s golden monkey and the red panda.
Wolong Nature Reserve
The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda is located in the Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. The Reserve is located in China’s Min and Qionglai Mountains on the border of the Tibetan Plateau.
Chengdu is the nearest city and is 3 hours away by car. The center is predominantly a non-profit organisation and receives funding from the Chinese Government, wildlife organisations across the world and individuals.
Program Summary
Volunteers usually work 6-7 hours per day depending on the time of year and are responsible for preparing food and feeding the pandas, working with experienced veterinarians in Wolong’s Panda Hospital, and helping with various research studies, data collection and panda behavior observation.
Twice a day volunteers will be asked to clean the panda’s living area and the young panda’s play area (removing waste and bamboo leaves). In addition to these activities volunteers have the chance to play with panda cubs and hike the beautiful mountains surrounding the Wolong Panda Center.
For safety reasons each volunteer will also be shadowed by a local staff member at all times. Due to the nature of the work, volunteers need to be mature, responsible, and have an interest in the conservation of animals.
What’s Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Visa application assistance
- Round trip transportation between the Wolong Panda Conservation Center and the Chengdu airport
- Accommodation
- Volunteer work placement
- Program coordination
- Panda Museum tour
- Entry to the Wolong Panda Conservation Center
- Mandatory donation to the Wolong Panda Conservation Center
- Work attire rentals
- Picture opportunities while holding the endangered panda
- Certification of volunteer hours and donation contributions
Requirements
- Applicants must have an advanced English speaking level
- Applicants must be mature and have an interest in the conservation of animals
- Applicants must provide up-date immunization and/or physical exam records
- Under 18 years old must be accompanied by parents, legal guardians or participate as part of a school group
- No children under 10 years old are allowed (policy of the Panda Center)
- Knowing Mandarin is NOT a requirement
Applicants must provide copies of their immunisation records and/or a physical exam record. The Panda Centers require that all participants in the program provide either their immunization records or a physical exam record that is no more than three (3) months old. The easiest to obtain is likely usually the physical exam record.
A physical exam record is required by the Panda Center as a result of one of the Pandas catching a nearly fatal disease from coming into contact with visitors to the center. The physical exam record ultimately needs to show that you as the volunteer:
- Have no communicable skin disease
- Are in good health
- Be signed by a physician
How to Apply
Browse our featured gap year volunteer programs to find your perfect project today.
If you like the idea of spending more time on a gap year in China you should stay longer to explore more of the country. Cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing are well worth spending a few days to enjoy the wonderful sites this city has to offer. There are lots of group tours available all year round.
If you do really enjoy the experience of visiting China you might want to explore options to stay longer. A popular option is to take a TEFL course and apply to teach English. There are jobs available throughout China.