Volunteer in China on your gap year and help to protect one of the world's most lovable and endangered animals – the Giant Panda! Volunteers work in a panda conservation centre in Sichuan Province, which has been working with the World Wildlife Federation for over 30 years to protect the endangered Giant Panda.

This wildlife conservation centre has successfully tackled some of the main breeding challenges facing pandas in the wild, including problematic mating and pregnancy and low infant survival. With government support this conservation project has successfully increased its captive panda population from 6 to over 70, and boasts a range of reproduction, rescue and educational facilities.

Gap year volunteer role: Conservation volunteers can play a key role in protecting the future of the Giant Panda. It is estimated that the total number of pandas in the world is less than 1600 and most of these live in Sichuan Province, so despite the centre’s success, their future remains uncertain.

Conservation volunteers fly into Chengdu in Sichuan Province, where they are given a tour of the city's attractions, before being transferred by bus to the panda reserve the next day. Your first day at the centre will be spent being introduced to the panda conservation facilities, meeting the staff and being briefed on your role.

Following their induction, gap year volunteers will begin working as an assistant to the panda keeper, helping with various activities in the panda reserve. These could include preparing and serving food for the pandas, cleaning their enclosures and ensuring that they are comfortable and secure. In some cases, panda conservation volunteers will be asked to help the veterinary staff to provide medical care for the pandas, or to take part in research activities and help scientists to collect behavioural data.

Your gap year experience: If you love pandas, then you're certain to love this conservation project! Volunteers can get up close and personal with one of the world’s most iconic animals and learn what it takes to protect the Giant Panda, while making a real difference to its survival themselves.

During your volunteer project you can take advantage of free Chinese language lessons and soak up real Chinese culture, as you get a taste of life in this amazing part of the world. The panda conservation centre is enclosed by mountains and with attractions such as the Yangtze River and the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an located within easy reach of Chengdu, this is a fantastic place to spend your gap year in China!