Directly petting, holding, or hugging pandas is generally prohibited at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding due to strict safety and conservation regulations aimed at protecting the animals from human-borne diseases and stress. While programs allowing visitors to hold baby pandas for a fee were available in the past, they have been suspended for several years and are no longer an option at the main Chengdu base. For those seeking a more interactive experience, special "Panda Keeper" or volunteer programs are occasionally available at nearby facilities like the Dujiangyan Panda Base or Wolong National Nature Reserve. These paid programs, which typically require advance booking and health certificates, allow participants to assist with tasks such as cleaning enclosures and preparing food, and may offer the opportunity to feed pandas through the bars of their enclosure from a safe distance. However, open physical contact or "petting" sessions are officially discouraged by experts and remain largely unavailable to the general public to ensure the welfare of these vulnerable animals.