DC Panda Leaves National Zoo, Heads to China on 'FedEx Panda Express'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo in Washington has said its final goodbye to its panda cub Bao Bao.
The zoo packed up the American-born panda Tuesday for a one-way flight to China, where the 3-year-old will eventually join a panda breeding program.
Bao Bao left the zoo Tuesday morning in a special crate. She is scheduled to fly from Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia to Chengdu, China, on Tuesday afternoon.
Bao Bao has left the Zoo: https://t.co/XiquB9SSHa #ByeByeBaoBao
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) February 21, 2017
WATCH HER ✈️ TAKE OFF LIVE ON FB 1:30pm: https://t.co/QXjzrTh9QU pic.twitter.com/lC669fyHZa
The cub won't have to worry about finding overhead bin space or dealing with a talkative seatmate on the 16-hour, nonstop flight. She'll be the only panda on the plane, traveling with a keeper and a veterinarian.
In preparation for the trip, keepers have packed Bao Bao's favorite foods, including bamboo, apples and sweet potatoes.
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