We have been officially interning for over a week at the Bifengxia Panda Base here in Ya’an, China. One week seems shallow compared to the three months we will be here yet we’ve already learned and experienced so much about pandas, the culture, the history and everything in between. Here are just a few things:
- Tai Shan is easily one of the bears we take special interest in due to the sheer fact that he just arrived from the National Zoo. Its always a huge commemorative event when pandas are born overseas and then get to return to their native land.
- We, the interns, are quite a hit amongst the locals here in Ya’an. We get stared at intensely wherever we go and even get photographed/videotaped as well. Some restaurants even give us extra discount on our bills because we are foreign! What a perk!
- Pandas love carbs. Everyone knows that pandas live off bamboo but at Bifengxia, they’re also fed carrots, apples, and bread. Don’t sign these guys up for the Atkins diet.
- Lin Bing has her own camera crew. She is famous for being the first panda born in Thailand which brings her lots of popularity and publicity. She has her own fan named Nong, also from Thailand, who was at the breeding center when we arrived.
- Wu Gang has a lot to bring to the table. He’s very successful at breeding plus he is uniquely adorable because of his signature pink nose.
- One of our favorite pandas is Shen Wei. He makes our behavior observations so entertaining because he does things like suck his thumb, strike poses with his bamboo, and make sleepy drawn out bleats until he falls asleep.
The last thing isn’t necessarily something new I learned, just something I can definitely reconfirm. I knew since I was little that I wanted to work with pandas but now after being here a week, I can solidify this goal of mine. I am more passionate and motivated than ever to preserve these precious animals.
-Gigi
