American-born giant panda Bao Bao will be heading from Washington's National Zoo to the land of her forefathers¹, China, early next year, it was announced last Thursday.

华盛顿国家动物园上周四宣布，在美国出生的大熊猫“宝宝”将于明年年初回到原籍中国。

Bao Bao's parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who also live at the National Zoo, are on loan² from China, and the agreement calls for any pandas born at U.S. zoos to be sent to the Chinese breeding³ program before their fourth birthday.

“宝宝”的父母“美香”和“添添”也住在国家动物园，它们是从中国租借的大熊猫。根据租借协议，任何在美国动物园出生的熊猫都要在四岁生日之前送回中国，以进行育种计划。

Bao Bao's older brother Tai Shan made the journey in 2010. Now, it's her turn.

“宝宝”的哥哥“泰山”已经在2010年回国了。现在，轮到她了。

Also last Thursday, the zoo in the southern U.S. city of Atlanta said its 3-year-old giant panda twins would leave November 3.

美国南部城市亚特兰大的动物园同样在上周四宣布，他们所持有的3岁大熊猫双胞胎将于11月3日离开美国。

Atlanta's departing⁵ panda twins, Mei Lun and Mei Huan, were born July 15, 2013, and were the first surviving panda twins born in the United States.

亚特兰大动物园的双胞胎大熊猫名字分别叫“美轮”和“美奂”，它们出生于2013年7月15日，是在美国出生的第一对存活下来的大熊猫双胞胎宝宝。

Zoos prefer to transfer⁶ the pandas in winter because it is easier to keep them cool on the long flight.

动物园选择在冬天运送这些大熊猫，因为这样在长途飞行中很容易能让它们保持凉爽。

"The panda team will continuously monitor Bao Bao during the trip and will travel with a supply of her favorite treats, including bamboo, apples, pears, cooked sweet potatoes and water," the National Zoo said in a statement.

华盛顿国家动物园在一份声明中说：“熊猫团队将在旅途中一直监测'宝宝'的状态，旅途中供应的食物也都是它爱吃的，包括竹子、苹果、梨子、烤地瓜和水等等。”

The zoo still has one young giant panda, which will remain in the nation's capital for at least a couple more years: Bei Bei, who was born in August 2015.

该动物园里还有一只大熊猫幼崽--2015年8月出生的“贝贝”，它将在华盛顿多待几年。

After the three young pandas depart⁴, there will be a dozen pandas remaining in the United States: four in Atlanta, three in Washington, three in San Diego and two in Memphis.

在本次这三只大熊猫离开之后，还有12只大熊猫留在美国：其中4只在亚特兰大，3只在华盛顿，3只在圣地亚哥，2只在孟菲斯。