This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8497973.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US-born pandas relocate to China US-born pandas relocate to China
(about 4 hours later)
Two pandas born in the US are due to be flown to China to be re-settled - where they face a new diet and language.Two pandas born in the US are due to be flown to China to be re-settled - where they face a new diet and language.
Mei Lan, 3, and Tai Shan, 4, were born while the two sets of parents were on loan from China to US zoos. US fans say the popular pandas will be missed.Mei Lan, 3, and Tai Shan, 4, were born while the two sets of parents were on loan from China to US zoos. US fans say the popular pandas will be missed.
All loaned pandas and any offspring must eventually return to China.All loaned pandas and any offspring must eventually return to China.
Zoo-keepers have advertised for an English-Chinese translator to teach Mei Lan the Sichuan dialect so that she can understand basic commands.Zoo-keepers have advertised for an English-Chinese translator to teach Mei Lan the Sichuan dialect so that she can understand basic commands.
Mei Lan, from Zoo Atlanta, and Tai Shan, a male from Washington, will become part of a panda breeding programme in Sichuan.Mei Lan, from Zoo Atlanta, and Tai Shan, a male from Washington, will become part of a panda breeding programme in Sichuan.
When they arrive in Chengdu they will be weaned off the high-fibre biscuits they have been fed in the US, and be given steamed bread and bamboo shoots instead.When they arrive in Chengdu they will be weaned off the high-fibre biscuits they have been fed in the US, and be given steamed bread and bamboo shoots instead.
Panda planePanda plane
At the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, Tai Shan's parents will remain until December when they too will return to China at the end of their 10-year loan.At the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, Tai Shan's parents will remain until December when they too will return to China at the end of their 10-year loan.
Animal keeper Nicole Meese, who held Tai Shan as a baby, will travel with him on a plane emblazoned with a panda on its side.Animal keeper Nicole Meese, who held Tai Shan as a baby, will travel with him on a plane emblazoned with a panda on its side.
"Every day, he makes me smile," she said, according to Associated Press."Every day, he makes me smile," she said, according to Associated Press.
"I'm going to miss him terribly.""I'm going to miss him terribly."
She trained him to understand hand signals, and prepared a booklet of the signals to help his new keepers at the Bifengxia Breeding Base in Ya'an, Sichuan.She trained him to understand hand signals, and prepared a booklet of the signals to help his new keepers at the Bifengxia Breeding Base in Ya'an, Sichuan.
Mei Lan's potential mate could be chosen by public voteMei Lan's potential mate could be chosen by public vote
Mei Lan would get a translator - if one could be found - as she "must be unfamiliar with Chinese", said the director of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre's animal management department, Huang Xiangming, according to the official Xinhua news agency.Mei Lan would get a translator - if one could be found - as she "must be unfamiliar with Chinese", said the director of the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre's animal management department, Huang Xiangming, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Phrases for going in and out of her dormitory would be taught, a staff member said.Phrases for going in and out of her dormitory would be taught, a staff member said.
She was the first cub born at Zoo Atlanta, bringing thousands more visitors to the zoo and to its webcam online.She was the first cub born at Zoo Atlanta, bringing thousands more visitors to the zoo and to its webcam online.
Her parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, had another cub in 2008.Her parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, had another cub in 2008.
Potential mates for Mei Lan are being suggested on a website where people can pick their favourite based on behaviour and appearance.Potential mates for Mei Lan are being suggested on a website where people can pick their favourite based on behaviour and appearance.
Superman Kobe and Yong Yong, or Doubly Brave, are among the candidates. Experts will also have some input into the choice.Superman Kobe and Yong Yong, or Doubly Brave, are among the candidates. Experts will also have some input into the choice.

Have you seen the pandas? Are you planning to see them when they head to China? What do you think about them returning to China? Send us your thoughts and pictures using the form below:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions