Tina in China - Giant Panda

I've chosen the giant panda because I've always had soft spot for them. Believe it or not, there are only around 1,000 of them left in the entire world, so it's very important that we do our bit to help them out.

Day 1

Tina: "We went to the Great Wall of China and Tianemen Square today. It was amazing to see the Wall - one of the only man-made landmarks you can see from space."

Day 2

Jo: "I got to do a bit of singing this evening, as we all had a go at karaoke. We then went on to ten-pin bowling, which we all love. I just think we need a bit more practice though."

Day 3

Tina: "It was a great day today, because I got to meet my pandas, which I've always had a soft spot for! Seeing them though made me realise how much they need our help. They are so beautiful. It made me really sad to think that there are only 1,000 of these gorgeous bears left."

Day 4

Jon: "We went up Mount Emei Shan today and there were fantastic views from the top. We could see for miles and miles. Certainly a good way to see China"

WWF's Work

WWF - the first conservation organisation ever to work in China - has proposed the creation of 17 bamboo "corridors" so that pandas can move from one feeding area to another in order to reduce the risk of in-breeding. This has been incorporated into an overall management plan written by the Chinese government for nearly 30,000 square kilometres of panda habitat. The focus of WWF's involvement remains in the forefront of panda conservation: they finance the training of local rangers to combat poaching activities and they assist with the implementation of the government's plan.

The Chinese authorities are interested in loaning pandas to foreign zoos, thereby generating millions of dollars. While WWF is opposed to short - term loans, it believes that long-term breeding loans may benefit panda conservation, provided they are part of an integrated international captive breeding programme designed to complement conservation in the wild.

Since 1980, WWF has worked with the Chinese government and spent £2.6 million on panda projects. Scientists, managers and guards have been trained and equipped to protect the panda and its precious habitat. WWF has also helped build the research laboratory and captive breeding centre at Wolong, China's largest reserve. Captive breeding is continuing with the aim of releasing pandas into the wild, but as yet success is limited.