Pandas don’t just sleep and eat… well at least not during breeding season.
Researching and working with endangered species and ecosystems is what I thrive to do. Having the opportunity to work with such an iconic and special animal has been an amazing experience for me.
China is an amazing place for those of us (me) who love food.
Working at Bi Feng Xia in Ya’an, China, I have learned so much about the behavior, conservation issues, politics, and passion people have towards protecting Giant Pandas. Being able to research Pandas every day for the past three months has opened my eyes to how truly special and unique Pandas are. Having done the majority of my research on wild animals, I have never been able to spend an extended amount of time observing the same animals in such close proximity. While working at Bi Feng Xia I have been able to record the human like personalities and behaviors of the individual Pandas. I have grown to really like several of the pandas. Min Min is an adorable sweet female Panda. She is very vocal and aware of her surroundings. I think she has observed and watched me just as much as I have watched her. Lu Lu is my favorite male panda. He is from the wild and is the superstar breeder and the base, he has around 35 children. His personality is as large as his body (hes one of the biggest, if not the biggest, males at the base). When a female is in sight, Lu Lu is unstoppable, always pacing, doing handstands and ready for action, but always with the goofiest look on his face. Theses pandas are endangered in big part because of human activity and human carelessness. Educating the public, coming up with solutions to live with nature, and research like what PDX Wildlife is doing are all very important for the future of the glorious Giant Panda of China.
Not knowing the language can be difficult, but once you break the ice and get to know the locals they are very friendly and open. Not knowing the language was the biggest difficulty in China, but after spending three months here, I realized I am able to connect with people with out needing to speak the same language. I have learned a few key phrases that have helped me start communication with the locals. Now walking down the street I wave and smile to many of the stores owners I see everyday. When I walked into a tea shop I went to the first week I was here, and haven’t returned, the girl welcomed me with a smile and some fresh tea.
This PDX Wildlife research internship gave me the opportunity to gain more insight and experience researching endangered species with the ultimate goal of releasing Giant Pandas back into the wild. My time in China has taught me how important it is to be adaptable, flexible, and creative when working in an international setting.
Ryan Boarman-