The giant panda, with its distinctive black and white coat, is a national treasure in China, and an icon for the nation. Thanks to the aggressive conservation efforts of the Chinese government and agencies, the bear was removed from the endangered species list just last month.

Suzanne Braden, founder of Pandas International, delivers a speech at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo: CRI/Gao Shan]

It's early in the morning. In Bifengxia, a mountainous area in Sichuan province, southwest China, panda caretakers have already started their day.

Yet among the uniformed keepers, a few Caucasian faces stand out.

Kayleigh came all the way from England to be a panda volunteer.

"We clean up the outside area with all the bamboo(s) and we clean up all the poop. And later we gonna go and make them some lunch. We just knew this is the best place for us to come and the only place to offer this in the world. That's why we are here. We didn't want to go to a zoo. We want to come to somewhere where they are looked after and we can be a part of that."

But Kayleigh and her friend are not the only ones who are offering a helping hand.

Hawaii-based William Burke and his wife Karom have been in love with the tubby, fluffy creatures since 2005, when the birth of Tai Shan was broadcast through a web cam. In the past five years, the couple has adopted three pandas and been actively involved in volunteering.

"I think they are unique. Animal needs to be preserved and we have to do everything we can in their conservation. We are trying to help with a little bit we can by donating to their donation program. "

Overseas institutions also take part in panda preservation.

Suzanne Braden is director of Pandas International, a global NGO dedicated to protecting this rarest number of the bear family.

She says her original intention of founding this organization was to fill the gap in medical supplies and equipment.

"When I first came in 1999, if they needed to do a blood test on a panda in Wolong, they would have to draw the blood, drive down to the nearest human hospital. Sample could be spoiled by the time they made it to the hospital. So one of the first things we started providing was blood chemistry analyser that every hospital in the United States would have. But they were not available at that time in China, so we started sending that type of medical equipment."

At the same time, an educational program is launched to encourage young children, especially those from America, to conserve pandas.

As the head of Wolong Panda Base, Li Wei speaks highly of the international input.

"These organizations act like our branches and representatives in foreign countries. Take Pandas International for example, they help to raise the awareness in America for panda preservation. They have contributed a lot in terms of research and conservation. The Panda Protection Association in Japan strengthens the friendship between our two nations."

So far, China has carried out cooperation projects on giant pandas with zoos from 17 countries.

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