How cute do you want your job to be? Panda Nannies: Yes.
Because pandas are undoubtedly adorable creatures – fluffy, cuddly and adorable at the same time. Caring for these wonderful creatures all day sounds like a dream job.
But what exactly does a panda nanny do and what does it really look like behind the scenes?
The everyday life of panda nannies
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
The tasks sound simple and everyday, but they are of great importance for scientific research. A panda nanny takes care of the feeding and care of the pandas and ensures that the enclosure is clean.
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
They also support the animals and the doctors with veterinary examinations and provide the researchers with important information about the behavior of the pandas.
Although it may seem like the easiest job in the world at first glance, working with the pandas is not without its challenges.
Pandas remain wild animals
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
Chunhua Liu, a panda nanny at the China Panda Protection Center in Sichuan, emphasizes that despite their cuteness, pandas are still wild animals and their play habits are different from humans.
“Pandas don’t play like humans. Essentially, they bite and scratch each other. Almost all the other nannies got scratches from cuddling with the pandas – some pretty bad ones”
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
Chunhua Liu recalls in the video.
A panda nanny is not only responsible for one animal. Caring for multiple red pandas and giant pandas requires special attention to ensure their safety – even when they are sleeping.
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
A keeper has figured out the best way to separate the sleeping pandas from one another without waking them up: she moves the animals back and forth in her sleeping area with a long metal stick.
The job is very popular
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
Despite the challenges and routine work, the facilities are looking for applicants who bring patience, dedication and a passion for panda conservation and study.
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
Obviously there are many people who meet these requirements, because there are at least 40 applications for every vacancy.
Working as a panda nanny may seem like a dream job at first, but it requires dedication, caring and a sense of responsibility.
SOURCE: YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT – IPANDA
However, for those who are passionate about the protection and study of these fascinating animals, it is certainly one of the most fulfilling responsibilities imaginable.