2012-05-07 Project work at Wolong

The Wolong Panda base was badly damaged during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Construction of a new facility, funded by the Hong Kong government, is underway just a few miles down the road. The existing location, somewhat patched together, is being used for the Panda reintroduction program.

Only Pandas that have not been habituated to humans are intended to be reintroduced to the wild. In practical terms, this means that expectant (but habituated) mothers will give birth and rear their cubs for two years in increasingly large and semi-wild enclosures. During those first two years, it is hoped the cub will learn the necessary survival skills from the mother, and human interaction with the cub is strictly controlled, before being released into the wild ... meaning Panda suits must be worn!

While looking completely ridiculous, it was fun going about our daily monitoring and maintenance activities in full Panda regalia!

We stayed in a nearby hotel, the wonderfully named Mountain Fungus Inn, and received royal treatment during our visit, including a banquet (with barbequed goat!) held in our honour before we left Wolong.