Tracking Panda Bears in China

Thanks to Mary and Sean for the question about visiting Pandas. Yes, I wandered through China a few years back – inspired by the book Wild Swans and driven to see Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the Terracotta Soldiers, the Forbidden Palace and then… I’d better stop myself there. You wanted to know about pandas, after all.

About Pandas

Apart from being the cover girl for WWF, pandas are among the most threatened species on earth with only around 2000 left.

That’s 2000 altogether, across the whole world. I know people with more than 2000 friends on facebook.

Pandas only eat bamboo and (rarely) attack humans – two reasons that may explain both why they are adored – and why they are endangered.

Seeing Pandas

Given how scarce pandas are, it’s not surprising that you won’t find much of a choice if you want to see them. I went to the Chengdu Panda Reserve, deep in the Sichuan Province. The Chengdu reserve describes itself as a “Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding”, which seems to translate into part zoo, part conservation area, part wilderness, and part science lab.

You’ll see plenty of red pandas and golden monkeys in the forest paths that meander around the main building. You may also see infant pandas in the labs, along with posters and presentations on panda breeding.

But will you see panda bears? When I visited, I saw several elderly pandas chomping on bamboo while their cartoon-like grandchildren tumbled around the floor.

Hang on a sec, is travelling to see pandas such a good idea anyway?

Like most things, it depends. Conservation groups and governments recognise the value of an industry where an animal is worth more alive than dead. Successful eco-tourism forms a powerful bargaining chip when convincing local communities to conserve habitats and halt poaching. Some groups, such as WWF, even advertise approved tours.

Travel considerately, treat animals and habitats with respect – and enjoy!

Hope that helped to answer your question. It’s been a few years since I was in China but I’d love to hear about what the place is like now. Drop a link below after you get back and tell us all about it.

If you’re interested in catching other endangered species in the non-poaching sense then try this article from Bootsnall.

Panda Photos – from Chi King. I’m afraid my photos are locked away in storage somewhere…

UPDATE: Travel China Guide tell me that Pandas are indeed still at Chengdu – and that you can visit them through one of their Chengdu Tours.