The panda keeper experience program at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding caught our attention while researching the opportunity to hug a panda.Β  WhileΒ hugging a panda was a dream come true and still putsΒ a smile on our face, the panda keeper for a day program was an experience we would very much recommend as well.Β  AlsoΒ referred to asΒ an international internship, the one-day program (really only half-day) is a behind the scenes lookΒ at the daily duties of a panda keeper.

Panda KeeperΒ For A Day

We eagerly arrived at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding at 8:20 a.m.Β  Our guide, along with one other volunteer program participant, was already waiting at the gate.Β  Following brief introductions, we boarded a golf cart to a building where the program fee was collected.Β  We received a briefing about pandasΒ including the types of food they are given (unlimited bamboo) and special treats they also enjoy (apples are a favorite).Β  We quicklyΒ took turns slicing apples before proceeding to the pandas with ourΒ treats in hand.

feeding giant pandas was one of the things we did for the panda volunteer program in Chengdu china

TheΒ keeper experienceΒ allowed us to visit andΒ feed four adult giant pandas, including a pair of twins.Β Β The three of us placed the small pieces of apple at the end of a long stick and held it in front of their noses, just out of reach.Β  We were told to lift the stickΒ up and down while saying a command to encourage them toΒ stand on their back legs.Β  It was explained how important it isΒ for them to exercise but we felt a bit bad doing this as they would look at you pleadingly with their adorable faces.Β  In fact, the pandas reminded us of Matilda’s dog Buddy.Β Β He too has an irresistible beggingΒ look andΒ enjoys apples very much!

Volunteer with Pandas in China at the panda base in chengdu
After the feeding, the pandas were released outside and our guide asked if we were interested in cleaning their cages.Β  This involves clearing bamboo and panda poo off the floor.Β  We gamely put on scrubs, gloves and plastic shoe covers and tackledΒ the task at hand.Β  It took the three ofΒ us 20 minutes to do what one panda keeper does in 5 minutes.

We were asked to separate the poo from the bamboo.Β  The panda reserve weighs the poo daily in order to keep track of how much the pandas are eating.Β  Although it sounds like a dirty job, panda poo does notΒ actually smellΒ since pandas eat so much bamboo.

Another treat the pandas enjoy are panda cakes.Β  These special cakes (made of flour, soy bean, cornflour and oats) are intended to meet a panda’s nutritional needs.Β  WeΒ sampled a small piece and thought it tasted a bit like whole wheat bread.Β  The staff brought a bowl of them for us and we proceeded outdoors to find the twin pandas we met earlier.

pandas chengdu china we fed as part of the panda volunteer program Chengdu

Feeding the twins panda cakes was similar toΒ feeding them apple slices.Β  We took turns placing the cakes at the end of a long stick and encouraged them to stretch their legs.Β Β As this occurred outdoors,Β other park visitorsΒ were also able to view the feeding. The twins put on quite a show and were definitely a crowd favorite!Β  The older, more aggressive twin would push down theΒ younger twin to secure the treats for herself.Β  This happened several times and they both kept making the cutest panda noises.

feeding giant panda chengdu china is part of panda volunteering in china

Here is a video we took of the twins vying for panda cakes (we have a couple more videos of the twin pandas on ourΒ YouTube channel):

After feeding the twins we stopped by toΒ visit the red pandas.Β  Red pandas are related to raccoons whereas giant pandas are part of the bear family.Β  There are signs around the park warning visitors to keep away from them as they are somewhat vicious and have bitten visitors.Β  Our guide confirmed this but stated that it only happens if they are provoked.Β  The red pandas were our final stop as panda keepers and concluded our 3 hour experience.

How to Volunteer with Pandas in Chengdu, China

The panda keeper experience programΒ must be arranged in advance of visiting the panda base.Β  Although the Chengdu Panda BaseΒ website states at http://www.panda.org.cn/english/conservation/overview/2013-09-12/2432.html that internships are available from one day to three months, we were told that only a one day program is available.Β Β According to the program director, the program is limited to 10 persons each session and must be arranged at least 3 working days in advance.

Many people arrange the one day internship as part of a tour or through their hostel.Β  We emailed the panda base directly using the email address we found on the website of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.Β  In response to our inquiry, Xiang, the program manager, sent us a detailed email with the security rules for the program and asked us to be at the panda base at 8:20 a.m.

The security rules include the following: do not make sudden movements or be aggressive towards the pandas, do not open the doors to the cages, do not touch the pandas and do not throw anything to the pandas unless allowed by the keeper.

Although the panda keeper experience is referred to as an “internship”, there is a fee to participate and no college credit.Β  The cost for the program isΒ currently CNY 700 ($120 USD)Β per personΒ in addition to the CNY 58Β general admission price.Β  PaymentΒ is cash only and there are no banks or ATMs at or near the reserve.

We found volunteering with pandas educational and interesting.Β  Feeding the pandas was definitely a memorable highlight!

Update: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding no longer offers the opportunity to volunteer with pandas. Β However, you can volunteer with pandas at the nearby Dujiangyan Panda Base. Β Click here to book a spot in the Dujiangyan panda base volunteer program.

Some popular tours for volunteering with the pandas:
Volunteer Day at Dujiangyan Panda Base

All-Inclusive Private Day Tour of Panda Volunteer Experience in Chengdu

All-Inclusive Private Day Tour of Panda Holding Experience in Chengdu

Private One Day Panda Volunteer Work at Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in Dujiangyan

Panda Rescue Center Volunteer for a Day

Private Day Tour: Dujiangyan Panda Base Volunteering from Chengdu

Dujiangyan Panda Base with Optional Volunteering and Photo-taking with Panda

Private Day Trip to Dujiangyan Panda Center with Panda Holding Option

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