On June 2, the news that "Being a giant panda poop shoveler requires strong biceps and world experience" was posted on Weibo's hot search. The solicitation requires that the shit shovel officer has well-developed biceps and has seen th...
On June 2, the news that "Being a giant panda poop shoveler requires strong biceps and world experience" was posted on Weibo's hot search. The solicitation requires that the shit shovel officer has well-developed biceps and has seen the world. In response, the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center (hereinafter referred to as the Panda Center) stated that the news contained exaggerated and inflammatory propaganda and tended to mislead the public. During the season of strong appetite, adult giant pandas defecate 10 to 20 pounds a day. It is indeed physical work for keepers, but it does not require developed biceps. There are also female keepers at the panda center.
At the same time, Red Star News reporters learned from the Panda Center that the loving experience activity of shoveling panda poop involves a certain amount of physical labor, so there are certain age requirements for participants. Moreover, participants are not allowed to bring pets, spray perfume or other cosmetics with strong smells, etc. There is no requirement that participants have well-developed biceps or have experienced the world.
No pets, spraying or applying perfume, etc.
At present, the giant panda science education activities carried out by the Panda Center include research education, love experience, field scientific research, youth group papermaking, etc. The loving experiences include cleaning the pen, preparing food, watching documentaries, etc. As for cleaning the enclosure, there is a mention on the Internet about shoveling panda poop.
"There are requirements for participants, but there is no saying that they have well-developed biceps and have seen the world." Relevant staff of the Panda Center said that considering that the love experience activities involve a certain amount of physical labor, it is stipulated that people over 10 years old and under 70 years old can participate. At the same time, participants must provide a negative nucleic acid test report or proof of having been vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as a normal blood routine report. They are not allowed to bring pets, spray perfume or other cosmetics with strong smells, etc.
The staff member said that the routine blood report mainly takes into account diseases such as influenza. In addition, there is no direct contact with pandas at close range during the whole experience, so there is no requirement to see the world and restrain the urge to "play cats". Because there is no chance at all.
For keepers, cleaning up panda excrement every day is indeed a physical job. According to the staff of the Panda Center, when adult giant pandas have strong appetites in spring, autumn and winter, keepers will feed them 40 to 50 kilograms of bamboo and other food every day, and they will defecate 10 to 20 kilograms every day.
"It's hard to tell how many times they defecate. Giant pandas have rectal bowels, and they basically poop while eating." The staff said that the keepers will conduct intensive cleaning every morning, including indoor pens and outdoor playgrounds. Each pen will take at least more than an hour to clean, because their feces may appear in any corner. In addition, the keepers will clean it again every afternoon based on the actual situation.
Although it requires a certain amount of physical strength, well-developed biceps is not a recruitment requirement for breeders. It is understood that the main conditions for recruiting breeders at the Panda Center include professional skills and love for animals. Since there is a lot of knowledge outside of books in actual operations, the Panda Center adopts a master-apprentice approach, with experienced old breeders leading the growth of young breeders.
Relevant activities will not be tied to scenic spots and hotels.
It is reported that the purpose of the panda center's giant panda science education activities is to let teenagers and giant panda enthusiasts have a deeper understanding of giant panda protection, scientific research, breeding and other aspects, spread giant panda culture, and at the same time help teenagers broaden their horizons, increase their knowledge, and establish an awareness of caring for nature and protecting the ecology. The Panda Center firmly opposes false propaganda and attempts to promote the popularity of giant pandas for commercial purposes.
"The popular science education activities will be held at various bases of the center." Relevant staff of the Panda Center said that the relevant activities will not be tied to any scenic spots, hotels and other other projects. In addition, the staff member said that science education activities have a certain cost, and some tourism products are gimmicked with free visits, so everyone needs to be wary.
