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For 'pambassadors', it's a dream come true

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Ali Shakorian says hello to panda Jing Jing at Chengdu's breeding center. He is one of the six panda ambassadors who will raise awareness of the endangered species and animal protection. [China Daily]

Fueled by his interest in the animal and its native home, China, the Swede moved to Beijing in 2008 to study Mandarin.

He also traveled extensively within the country before returning home early this year.

Shakorian was caring for his pregnant sister when he noticed an advertisement in a newspaper in late August for Project Panda.

He said he quickly went online to get more details of the campaign.

"When I found out only six people would win, I thought it was impossible for me," he said. "But I couldn't stop thinking about it and, as the deadline for applications neared, I couldn't sleep at night."

Just a few days later, Shakorian's nephew was born and he gave the baby a panda costume he bought in China.

The sight of the child dressed as a panda convinced him to change his mind about the pambassador job and he submitted a video application.

"When I was told I was among the 12 finalists (who would take part in the last stage of the competition in September), I spent an entire day lying on the sofa trying to take it in," he said.

"I never thought I'd return to China so soon and shoulder such an extraordinary assignment."

In the final showdown on Sept 29, which lasted three hours, Shakorian performed a song he wrote called Setting You Free.

"I believe the ultimate goal of breeding pandas in research centers is to release them into the wild," he said after being chosen as one of the six pambassadors. "I hope I can set a panda free one day."

WWF Sweden is now talking to Shakorian about a tour of Scandinavia after he returns from his one-month training course at the Chengdu panda base.

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