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 1 Version 2
US-born pandas relocate to China US-born pandas welcomed to China
(1 day 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 have arrived in China for the start of a new life.
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. A "Panda Express" plane carrying Mei Lan, three, and Tai Shan, four, landed in Chengdu, where the pair will join China's panda-breeding programme.
All loaned pandas and any offspring must eventually return to China. The pandas were born while the two sets of parents were on loan from China to US zoos. Loaned pandas and offspring must eventually return to China.
The pair will now undergo a period of acclimatisation to help them deal with the change of language and food.
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. In Chengdu, in Sichuan province, Mei Lan, from Zoo Atlanta, and Tai Shan, a male from Washington, will be weaned off their high-fibre US diet and will instead be fed steamed bread and bamboo shoots.
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. Nervous
Panda plane Since the days of the Cold War China has offered pandas on loan as goodwill gestures, giving rise to the term "panda diplomacy".
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. Tai Shan's parents will remain at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington 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, travelled with the animals on the "Panda Express" to China, a plane emblazoned with a panda on its side.
"Every day, he makes me smile," she said, according to Associated Press. "On the way over they were both OK," she said.
"Mei Lan was a little nervous, but basically they were both OK," the Associated Press quoted her as saying.
"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 has trained Tai Shan 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 vote Mei Lan and Tai Shan travelled on FedEx's Panda Express
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 is expected to be assigned a translator to help her understand the new language used by staff.
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. And she is expected to stay a media star in China: people are being asked to suggest potential mates via a website.
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: Have you seen the pandas? Are you planning to see them when they have settled in 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 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.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.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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions