Pandas abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What is a panda? 

• The giant panda is a species of bear, often referred to simply as a “panda” or “panda bear.”
• Although officially classified as a carnivore, the panda has specialized in a diet consisting almost entirely of bamboo. 
• Their black-and-white coloration helps them blend into the shadows of the forest during the summer and into the snow during the winter. 
• Pandas are too slow to hunt, but if the opportunity arises to catch a fish, a bird, or an egg, they will gladly take it.

Where can you see pandas in the wild? 

• In the wild, pandas are now found only in small, isolated mountainous regions in China.
• In the Chinese province of Sichuan, there are several “panda bases,” facilities that function as a cross between a zoo and a sanctuary for giant pandas.

Are pandas dangerous if you encounter one?

• A panda can be dangerous if you disturb or provoke it.

Where can you work, volunteer, or intern with pandas abroad? 

• There are very few opportunities for paid employment or internships involving giant pandas. Due to the species' rarity and its status as a national symbol for China, the care of these animals is subject to strict regulations. 
• It is possible for volunteers to help out for a day at one of the bases in Sichuan—tasks might include placing fresh bamboo in the enclosures or cleaning up waste.