A new documentary series, “Panda and Youth” introduces pandas to the world through the eyes of three western teenagers. As the stars of this new East meets West cultural project learn to care for China’s distinctive bears, the audience gets an inside look at Sichuan province.
Traveling from their homes in the UK and the U.S., Sienna, Annika and Michael are three young people who experienced the trip of a lifetime when they got an insider’s view of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Sichuan, China.
After 28 years of being on the “endangered” list, Pandas have moved up to being designated “vulnerable”, in large part thanks to caregivers and groups that have worked fervently to save the panda population. Awareness of the beauty and plight of the pandas is important, and what better way to bring attention to these beautiful creatures than through the eyes of children?
“We have released five pandas since 2006 and they have managed to survive. We do this so that the pandas can form large herds and return to the wild,” a scientist at the Base said.
The care involves cleaning, feeding and other important and often messy jobs; jobs that were handed to these kids as tasks to complete as they got to experience and know these creatures first hand.
An important part of the “I am in China: Discovering the Most Beautiful Sichuan” campaign, “Panda & Youth” is an energetic, informative and entertaining documentary and short video project that follows these kids through the trials and foils of caring for these cute, but often rebellious and even smelly young bears.
This project shares unique insights into the lives of pandas in Sichuan with a worldwide audience while documenting the importance of offering pandas protection and special care.