Our Giant Panda Experience
/ Ralph and Kathy C. – Bountiful, UT via Pandas International
We want to gratefully thank Suzanne Braden, Executive Director of Pandas International for the absolutely wonderful experience we had as part of the September 2012 Panda Volunteer Program.
This experience is not only for dedicated “panda lovers.” We are panda novices. After being enchanted with the pandas at the National Zoo several years ago, we decided to set out to see all the pandas in the United States. With each of the four panda exhibits we visited we became more captivated with pandas and started talking about going to China to see the pandas there.
We searched the internet for China panda tours. That took us to Access China Tours, which took us to Pandas International. We were excited to see we could go on a tour of China and spend two days volunteering at a panda reserve. We could not believe we were actually going to have hands on, one on one experience with pandas. We are now believers!
Access China Tours was wonderful to work with. We booked our trip several months in advance. We regularly checked Pandas International’s website for new information. It was a great resource to educate ourselves about pandas. With each article we read we got more excited about our forthcoming trip and panda experience.
And WHAT an experience it was! The entire tour was wonderful, but the panda experience was “totally awesome.” WOW!! From the moment we arrived at Bifengxia Panda Center to our last minutes there, it was nothing but pure excitement and enjoyment.
We learned a lot about pandas and found every experience and bit of information fascinating. One thing we found intriguing was that the panda species has been around longer than most species. That alone started us thinking about the importance of the conservation of these beautiful creatures. Then after only two days of caring for eight pandas, and beginning to see the personality of each one of them, we truly understood the importance of their preservation.
We were privileged to spend a considerable amount of time with Suzanne. She was a gracious “master” and shared her panda knowledge and experiences with us. We were impressed seeing what Pandas International does for the conservation of pandas. As we worked, and visited different places at the Center, we saw many pieces of equipment labeled with “Donated by Pandas International.” Actually seeing the Pandas International logo on so much donated equipment at the Center let us know this organization does what it says. They truly are working for the preservation of the species.
We are very fortunate that our love for pandas took us to Pandas International. It is a wonderful organization that is definitely working hard and doing great things for the conservation of pandas.
