Four Finalists Selected In 2012 Chengdu Pambassador Program

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chengdu Panda Base, in partnership with WildAid and the Yao Ming Foundation, have announced the selection of four U.S.-based finalists as part of the Global Pambassador program.  The four finalists will travel to Chengdu Panda Base in China to compete in a three-week competition with other finalists from around the world from October 28-November 16, 2012.

After two days of competition, four finalists were chosen to represent the US at the finals in Chengdu because of their incredible enthusiasm, knowledge of panda conservation and teamwork with the other semi-finalists. They are:

• Ashley Jaeger: Tucson, AZ
• Craig Handy: Peachtree, GA
• Rebecca Revich: Los Angeles, CA
• Melissa Katz: Tinton Falls, NJ

A total of 24 semi-finalists from North and South America participated in a two-day competition in Washington, D.C. where they were tested on their panda knowledge and enthusiasm for panda conservation through a series of educational and physical challenges. They competed in a variety of competitions including trivia tests, a scavenger hunt based on panda knowledge, and a panda awareness campaign on the streets of D.C. at the iconic National Mall and Georgetown University.

The four finalists will compete in a three-week competition beginning in late October at the Chengdu Panda Base in China where they will learn directly from the scientists on how to care for pandas, how the Base conducts its research, and will then take a unique trip into the reserve where they will camp and observe pandas in their natural habitat, with the ultimate goal being to help reintroduce pandas into the wild.  Sixteen finalists from the US, UK, Singapore and Mainland China will all be competing for the three 2012 Global Pambassador spots.

The three 2012 Global Pambassadors will join a Global Conservation Tour in 2013 and visit cities all over the world educating communities on the importance of panda conservation. They will also receive a $20,000 stipend for the time they spend on the tour.

About the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
The Chengdu Panda Base is a non-profit organization engaged in wildlife research, captive breeding and conservation education.  The Chengdu Panda Base was founded in 1987 when six weak giant pandas were rescued from the wild and rehabilitated to full strength. Today, the Chengdu Panda Base is home to 108 healthy bears – the world's largest captive population of pandas.

For more information on the Global Pambassador program: www.facebook.com/ChengduPambassador

Contact
Alejandro Grau
Ogilvy Public Relations
310.280.2215

SOURCE Chengdu Panda Base