The winners will “learn how unique these animals truly are, assist researchers and scientists there, and help raise awareness by blogging to millions of people around the world about their experience,” organisers note.įull details of the competition and how to enter are yet to be released. Organisers say that from August, they will be looking for “bright, articulate and engaging individuals from China and around the world, who care deeply about conservation issues” to spend one month in Chengdu. Officials at the base are planning to give animal lovers from around the world the opportunity to sample Yang’s job by launching a global search for six panda keepers as part of an awareness campaign on the plight of the animals. It’s like it’s studying the way you are, it’s great.” “The best is when you’re on duty and you walk on the partition between enclosures,” says Yang, after the eight pandas he cares for with 14 other keepers have retired to their indoor air-conditioned pens. The 24-year-old is a panda keeper at the Chengdu Panda Base in Sichuan province - which will soon offer contestants from around the world a chance to help look after the endangered animals for a month.Īs Yang dangles an apple fixed to a rod over the wall of their enclosure, Jing Jing and Xiao Yatou stand up on their hind legs and reach awkwardly for the treat with their big paws - an exercise aimed at bulking them up.

Panda global protection 2019