Thank you to our friends at CCRCGP for the fabulous photos and summary of the 10th Annual Hug my Baby event. “Hug my Baby” is an annual event sponsored by The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) and the Wolong Panda Club to thank adopters for their support of the Giant Panda centers.
FROM CCRCGP (translated):
September 22, 2014 – The Wolong Panda Club’s 10th annual “Hug my Baby” event for panda adopters was a success. This year’s event theme is ” A Decade of Gratitude”. Activities were planned for a period of five days. A total of more than 40 guests traveled from around the world to participate in this event, including members of Pandas International from the United States, the Japanese Giant Panda Protection Association, Subaru Motor (China) Group, as well as visitors from Canada, Australia, and Malaysia and China.
On the morning of the 23rd, rain greeted guests at CCRCGP’s Ya’an Bifengxia base. The highlight of the Bifengxia visit was seeing the baby pandas born this year. The guests gathered at Panda Square with staff members to pose for pictures.
On the 24th, guests traveled to the Dujiangyan base to volunteer with the giant pandas. Under the guidance of keepers, they worked tirelessly cleaning pens, carrying bamboo, and preparing food. Everyone enjoyed caring for the pandas and many photos were taken to record these meaningful moments.
On the afternoon of the 25th, guests gathered in the multi-purpose hall in Dujiangyan for a tenth anniversary retrospective on human fellowship with the pandas. A decade’s worth of photos chronicled the bond that has been created between adopters and the pandas. Director of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, Mr. Zhang Hemin and deputy director Li Desheng both spoke on behalf of CCRCGP. Su Alexandra spoke on behalf of the Japanese Association for panda conservation and Suzanne Braden spoke on behalf of Pandas International. The stories told by all were very moving.
Guests finally visited Qingcheng Mountain town – as they walked along the ancient streets, they were full of praise for the delicious food food and the beautiful clothing. Everyone felt it was a rewarding experience. In the afternoon, guests helped make dumplings which they then ate with smiles.
On the 26th, guests and club staff waved their reluctant farewells and continued their journey in China.
