The giant pandas are not only a Chinese national treasure but are also loved by people the world over. They are found only in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. In total there are fewer than 1000, of which 80% are distributed within the territory of Sichuan province. When visitors from home and abroad come to Chengdu, Sichuan Province one of their main objectives will be to see the giant pandas for themselves.

Located just 10km (six miles) away from downtown Chengdu, the Panda Breeding Research Centre has been created and imitates the pandas' natural habitat so that they can have the best possible environment for rearing and breeding. The centre also cares for other rare and endangered wild animals.  Additionally, there is a Giant Panda Museum together with research laboratories and a training centre. A great number of plants and as many as ten thousand clumps of bamboos and bushes have been cultivated to provide for the giant pandas' diet and habitat.

The Giant Panda Museum was opened in 1993 to further scientific education and to improve public awareness of the protection of both wild creatures and their environment. This is the world's only thematic museum for rare and endangered animal species. The resources held in store at the museum include up to ten thousand samples as well as a library of thousands of books and documents. This comprehensive museum provides a wonderful venue for all who are interested in seeing something of the propagation and protection of the region's natural bio-diversity.

Volunteers are required for the following positions (each requires a one-day training session):

Panda keeper's assistant

You will be allocated to a keeper and tasks will include:

• Cleaning the Giant Panda's sleeping quarters and the garden
• Preparing food, such as: carrots, apples, panda bread and biscuits.
• Carrying bamboo.
• You may be asked to help the scientists to collect behavioral data.
• You may be asked to help the vet with medical care.

Clerk's assistant

• Type up documents.
• Help translate web pages and some daily documents.
• Help the staff design and develop the website.

Interpreter's assistant 

• Help the interpreter with Giant Panda research such as: breeding, hand-rearing, husbandry, enrichment and so on.
• Help in co-operation people involved in similar work in the USA, Japan, Austria, Thailand, etc.
• Introduce visitors to all the Giant Pandas, their different habits, behaviours, experiences.