The Shenzhen Safari Park is looking for an expatriate to join a five-member volunteer group to fly to Shanghai and escort two South China Tigers back to the city from Sept. 22 to 25.

As of Thursday, about 300 residents had applied to join the volunteer group since the safari park announced Tuesday its plan to recruit five volunteers to take part in the special mission to introduce two tigers from Shanghai.

The safari park would cover all expenses for the four-day trip for all five chosen volunteers, said Huang Xianda, project manager of the safari park.

“We’d like to invite an expatriate working and living in the city who has a special love for tigers to join us, which will make the trip more exciting and interesting,” Huang said.

Yao Qianlin, general manager of a Yantian-based logistics company who published a book on protecting South China Tigers 10 years ago.

Yao and his two friends decided to donate 15,000 yuan (US$1,849) to the project.

The safari park will summon all applicants to gather in front of the safari park’s administrative office at 9 AM Saturday for an interview.

Expatriates who are interested in participating in the project can apply using the email address zoo@szzoo.net, or the fax number: 2666-2333. They can also learn more about the project through the Shenzhen Daily hotline: 137-983-123-84 (English) or the reporter’s mobile phone: 138-236-896-17.

(Shenzhen Daily September 16, 2005)