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Cubs on swing, August 2006  





 

WILD SPOTS FOUNDATION   

Dedicated to the promotion and protection of biodiversity.   

Wolong Panda Project




Wolong Nature Preserve

Covering an area of approximately 1200 square miles, the Wolong Nature Preserve is located around 90 miles (140km) west of Chengdu in South Central China. Travel from Chengdu goes through the rather famous tourist city of Dujiangyan boasting an ancient irrigation system dating back 2200 years. This project began 212BC and is still used today to direct the flow of waters from the Min River into the fertile fields around Chengdu. Beyond the Preserve, to the west, are snow capped mountains, glaciers, secluded monasteries, the Himalayas, and Tibet.


The trip to the Preserve is arduous and impressive, rising in altitudes exceeding 3,000 feet and exceeding 15,000 feet near Tibet. The road is being reconstructed and travels along a newly formed lake, due to a new damn that blocks the mountainous streams of the Min River. Travel time by bus from Chengdu takes from 4 to 11 hours, depending upon accidents, mudslides, and snow storms in the winter. The scenery is spectacular with rivers, waterfalls, and bamboo forests.


The Wolong Panda Institute occupies a few acres in the Preserve and has developed an international reputation for reproductive research and a successful breeding program for the Giant Panda.


From 1974 to 1989 half of the region's forest resources - habitat for the Great Panda - were depleted. This depletion provided justification and incentive for the government to formally back the creation of the Wolong Panda Preserve in the 80s. The government now supports 40% of the Preserve’s budget and openly punishes, in some cases by death, the capture or killing of any Panda.


The balance of the Institute’s budget is supported by the World Wildlife Fund and numerous smaller organizations, as well as individuals, who have a fondness for these animals. Other organizations, such as National Geographic Society, have recently reported on significant activities at the Institute: http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0607/feature1/


As a side note, the Fort Lauderdale-based EDSU organization has recently signed a contract with the China-United Nations Environment Fund to build an ecotourism visitor's center at Wolong.


The setting is idyllic: mild days, cool nights, cloud forests, and the poetically sinuous Arrow Bamboo, the primary food for the Great Panda: the Wolong Nature Preserve is also home to a few wild Great Pandas, some re-introduced by the Institute, as well as the Red Panda, Temminck’s tragopan, golden monkeys, and purportedly, the nearly extinct Snow Leopard.



Dr. Barker and Dr. Hen sign project agreement



Wolong Panda Institute Project

Wild Spots Foundation and Dr. Barry Barker, Chair of the Environmental Science/Studies Program at Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), in cooperation with the famous Wolong Panda Institute in the Sichuan Province of China, offer an impressive opportunity to spend 8 days in China with 4days/3nights at the Wolong Panda Institute to photograph and/or volunteer at the institute.


Participants have three options: to spend the entire time photographing Pandas, to spend the entire time volunteering - helping to feed and maintain the Pandas, or to split the time and do both. (For those interested in a more serious commitment to volunteer or intern: arranged to spend up to 10 days at the Institute working. There is a $300 registration fee required from each volunteer.)



The Wolong Panda Institute is the world leader in Panda reproductive research, release programs, and maintaining a healthy population of Giant Pandas.


Classroom teachers are invited to photograph and/or become volunteers, college students can elect the experience and become interns, even middle and high school aged students (must be accompanied by at least one adult parent) can participate.


For photographers of all skill levels, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get incredible photographs of the Great Panda, document its feeding habits, record its daily set of activities, as well as the infra structure that supports these animals.


For teachers and students, it is an occasion to contribute time and energy in maintaining a healthy population of Pandas, as well as learning about the biology, ecology, and behavior of these incredible animals.


For wildlife enthusiasts and eco-travelers from 18-81, this is an opportunity to come face to face with an endangered species, naturally limited to the bamboo forest ecosystem in China.






THE WOLONG JOURNEY

Contact
Barry Barker


Summary

  • Accommodations: Qintai Hotel or the newly opened Flower Hotel in Chengdu(3 star) and Wolong Hotel (4 star)(clean, safe, hot water)
  • Food: all food is included except for meals on the last day
  • Transportation: all transportation except for "free day" is included, as well as airport transfers
  • Dangers and warnings... please read 10 reasons not to travel letter!


    Details

    Groups will be headed by experienced Panda Volunteers.


    Day 1: Meet at LAX and depart for a flight to Chengdu


    Day 2: Arrive in Chengdu, met by CSTS representatives and taken to a hotel for rest.


    Day 3: Early morning departure to Wolong Panda Institute
    A 4-6 hour drive with incredible mountains, bamboo forests, and people - The Quang ethnic minority people. Upon arrival we will have an orientation meeting, an introduction and tour of the facilities - review a list of rules and regulations for the volunteers, as well as uniform check-out for the volunteers.


    Days 4-5 Volunteer and/or photograph
    Each day from 7:30AM-11:30AM and 2:30PM-5PM


    Day 6: Return to Chengdu
    To view the ancient Chinese sites, other Panda operations, and a local zoo


    Day 7: Early morning departure to the Chengdu Panda Reproductive Center
    Photograph the Red Panda, then we will go to the Chengdu Zoo to see the endangered Golden Monkey


    Day 8: Free day
    Explore Chengdu, Buddhist temples, ancient sites, markets, and shopping


    Day 9: Early morning departure
    To airport & back to LAX. For those continuing to the east coast, arrive back home around 11PM same day.


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    Last updated September, 2007