美國人對熊貓貝貝說再見

美國人對熊貓貝貝說再見

Goodbye, Bei Bei! The giant panda Americans watched grow over the past four years has left the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., for China.

再見,貝貝!在過去的四年里，在美國華盛頓特區(qū)的史密森國家動物園和保護生物學研究所生活的大熊貓，離開這里前往中國。

Giant panda Bei Bei eats bamboo at the Smithsonian's National Zoo (Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Bei Bei is heading overseas as part of a cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. All cubs born at the zoo go to China when they turn 4 years old.

作為與中國野生動物保護協(xié)會合作養(yǎng)殖協(xié)議的一部分，貝貝將前往海外。所有在動物園出生的幼崽在4歲時都會去中國。

“Our giant pandas represent much of what the Smithsonian does best, from conservation to education,” said Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian, in a statement. “As we say goodbye to our beloved Bei Bei, our conservation scientists will continue to work in collaboration to prevent these animals from disappearing, giving them the opportunity to thrive in the wild, inspiring and teaching generations to come.”

“從保護到教育，我們的大熊貓代表了史密森學會最擅長的很多方面，”史密森學會秘書長朗尼·邦奇在一份聲明中說。“當我們和心愛的貝貝告別時，我們的保護科學家將繼續(xù)合作，防止這些動物的消失，給它們在野外茁壯成長的機會，激勵和教育下一代。”

While it's sad to see the giant panda leave, it's fun to reflect on the four years he spent in the United States. He was born at the zoo on Aug. 22, 2015.

雖然大熊貓的離開讓人難過，但回顧它在美國度過的四年時光還是很有趣的。它于2015年8月22日出生于動物園。

Since then, we've seen Bei Bei walk his first steps, experience snow for the first time and many other adorable but educational moments.

從那時起，我們看到貝貝邁出了人生的第一步，第一次體驗了雪，還有許多其他可愛但有教育意義的時刻。

Over the past several weeks, keepers have been getting Bei Bei used to the travel crate he will use during his flight to China.

在過去的幾周里，飼養(yǎng)員們已經習慣了貝貝在飛往中國的航班上使用的旅行箱。

FedEx provided Bei Bei, his keepers and veterinarians a Boeing 777F going non-stop to Chengdu.

聯(lián)邦快遞為貝貝、它的飼養(yǎng)員和獸醫(yī)提供了一架直達成都的波音777F飛機。

When Bei Bei reaches new home, an American team will help him get acclimated in China. They will prepare him for the giant panda breeding program, as he reaches reach sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years old.

當貝貝到達新家時，一個美國團隊將幫助他適應中國。他們將為他的大熊貓繁殖計劃做準備，因為他在5到7歲之間性成熟。

Giant pandas are listed as "vulnerable" in the wild. Conservation programs like these keep their species alive. There are only an estimated 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild.

大熊貓被列為“易受傷害”的野生動物。像這樣的保護項目讓他們的物種得以存活。據(jù)估計，野生大熊貓只有1800只。