The research base is located in a northern suburb of the large city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province of the People's Republic of China. The research is designed to help us understand Giant Panda behavior. The knowledge we gain will be shared with people all over the world who are interested in pandas and in helping this highly endangered species survive. Some of the most memorable experiences I had were with individual animals and the people I got to work with. Never did a day go by that I did not learn volumes about China, and I still have so much to learn.
China is a fascinating country with a rich history and a rapidly changing culture.
I feel that through learning about the people of China, we can gain a better understanding of the Giant Panda, past, present and future. The Giant Panda is a national symbol for China as well as a global icon for wildlife conservation. One of the most incredible things that I was very fortunate to experience is the mothering behavior of Giant Pandas. Through the first few months of a baby panda's life, the mother is completely consumed with the care of her infant. Observing the two mothers that had infants at the Base this year gave me a real feel for the delicate nature of this species and the dedication panda mothers possess.