There's A Job That Lets You Dress Up As A Panda To Cuddle With Real Panda Cubs
By Mustafa GatollariNov. 5 2018, Updated 3:49 p.m. ET
What if I told you that you could cuddle with pandas?
Now, I know what you're thinking. "That sounds awesome, Mustafa, but how much does it cost?"
What if I were to tell you that there is a financial transaction involved in this panda-cuddling venture, but it's one that favors you? That's right, there are people willing to pay you to cuddle pandas. What would you say to that? Because it's totally a thing.
Best job in the world! Cuddling panda cubs - dressed up to help them learn to live without humans 🤗🐼🐾 (ipanda/People's Daily, China) pic.twitter.com/9XUnST0HCc
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 25, 2017
It looks like the best time ever. And Twitter agrees.
Got any vacancies? https://t.co/Gio4jok8cb
— David King (@davidkingmozart) July 25, 2017
The clip comes from the Wolong Natural Nature Reserve in China. Over there, the zookeepers occasionally dress in panda suits to help cubs prepare for life in the wild. Before you get super excited about the job prospect, just be sure you're cool with drenching your outfit in panda poop and pee -- the smells help to cover up your human scent, which makes the pandas more at ease.
The zoo hopes that the interactions between humans-in-panda-suits and actual pandas will simulate relationships the animals have with their mothers.
And people want in.
"What career path do I need to take to become a fake panda?" wrote one willing applicant on Twitter. "Probably is one of the best Jobs in the world. Do you get to wear your uniform home?" asked another. To be quite honest, we are also dying to know.
What career path do I need to take to become a fake panda? https://t.co/ItKw0X9iI6
— Stewart Hicks (@StewHicks) July 25, 2017
In the wrong profession, I need the job of panda cuddler 🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼🐼
— Sarah Connor (@sarahc196) July 25, 2017
Agreed. Probably is one of the best Jobs in the world. Do you get to wear your uniform home? #pandastory https://t.co/EBJ2Cfj0Ol
— Ja Ne Nicholas (@islandjenx) July 25, 2017
I mean, who wouldn't want this as a job?
One person aptly summed it up in this tweet: "Doesn't get much better than this. Zoo-keeper gets to cuddle baby pandas all day. In a panda suit."
where tf do i sign up https://t.co/mFp8o9Hq5S
— Gio (@Krazygio) July 25, 2017
Doesn't get much better than this. Zoo-keeper gets to cuddle baby pandas all day. In a panda suit. Via @BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/E4cbonmNVw
— Genevieve Edwards (@GenEdwards) July 25, 2017
Even Homer couldn't resist.
The Simpsons predicted it. pic.twitter.com/z1RCZfhSzB
— James Barber (@bisforbeej) July 25, 2017
Did he apply for the panda cuddling job? How did he get to try on their super coveted adorable suit? We have so many questions we need answered.