SELF confessed “pandaholic” Andi McLean is a step closer to winning the chance to spread the conservation message around the world after reaching the semi-finals of a Europe wide competition to find ambassadors for the endangered species.
Andy, 42, from Orford, Warrington, is one of 24 lucky entrants to be shortlisted to compete in the semi-final in Edinburgh this weekend October, 13 and 14.
The competition was set up by the city of Chengdu, China to offer the chance for three people to become global “Pambassadors” and tour the world with a message of conservation.
Andi (pictured right) is one of 13 finalists from the UK. He was selected by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from WildAid, experts from the Chengdu Panda Base and 2010 Pambassador winners following his application to enter via the Chengdu Pambassador Facebook page. He was asked to prove his passion for protecting the giant panda and his entry was so compelling that he was selected out of more than 255,000 entries worldwide to compete in the semi-final this weekend.
He describes himself as “Andi Pandi, the self-confessed pandaholic”
He has always been interested in pandas but in the last five years he has had the chance to actually go and visit pandas around the world – such as in Vienna, and four zoos in America. One of his prized possessions is a stick of bamboo partly chewed by one of the panda cubs in Vienna. In 2008 he spent three weeks in China looking after pandas, and has since adopted one of the cubs born there. He also recently had the honour of opening a panda exhibition at Edinburgh Zoo.
Andi has been running pandanews.org for the last four years, a website dedicated to reporting news about pandas all around the world.
He talks about pandas to anyone!
The next round stage will involve Andi participating in an education assignment at Edinburgh Zoo; a physical endurance course and a treasure hunt around Edinburgh city centre. Competing in team and individual challenges, the judges will be looking for a combination of passion, drive and enthusiasm as they seek out the very best
contestants to speak up for pandas and assist Chengdu’s conservation and rehabilitation efforts of this very special animal.
Commenting on his success, Andi said: “I’m delighted to have the chance to compete as part of the quest and hope that I will be able to realise a life-long dream of working with the giant panda and spreading the conservation message worldwide.”
Following the penultimate round of the competition in Edinburgh, the final 3 global Pambassadors will be announced in Chengdu, China, in November.
Their prize will be a five-month-long, panda conservation tour of 11 countries working alongside Chengdu Panda Base conservationists.
Andi bids to be panda ambassador
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
