Officials running a national program aimed at raising awareness on the plight of rare wild animals in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province hope to attract more donors in order to feed these endangered species.

The Shaanxi Rare Wild Animals Rescuing and Protection Center has been engaged in saving animals since it was founded in 1993.

"However, the center has been suffering from the shortage of funds. As a result of limited allocations from the government, the money for the proper running of the center comes from the animals exhibition," said Ning Feng, with the provincial Forestry Department.

In order to raise additional funds to provide better conditions for these animals, donors will be allowed to feed giant pandas, golden monkeys, ibises and takins in the province.

For 200 yuan (US$24) a year, a donor can feed a panda with 49 other donors, a golden monkey with 19 other donors, or an ibis with 9 others, Ning said.

Donors will be brought to the center to feed animals with help from workers and learn more about the species and the center, Ning said.

The center will also enlist 1,000 volunteers in the province for protection work for the animals, Ning added.

Shaanxi is home to several rare animals such as pandas, golden monkeys and ibises which are found only in China.

(China Daily September 4, 2002)