美国人对熊猫贝贝说再见

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.

再见,贝贝!在过去的四年里，在美国华盛顿特区的史密森国家动物园和保护生物学研究所生活的大熊猫，离开这里前往中国。

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.

作为与中国野生动物保护协会合作养殖协议的一部分，贝贝将前往海外。所有在动物园出生的幼崽在4岁时都会去中国。

“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.”

“从保护到教育，我们的大熊猫代表了史密森学会最擅长的很多方面，”史密森学会秘书长朗尼·邦奇在一份声明中说。“当我们和心爱的贝贝告别时，我们的保护科学家将继续合作，防止这些动物的消失，给它们在野外茁壮成长的机会，激励和教育下一代。”

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.

虽然大熊猫的离开让人难过，但回顾它在美国度过的四年时光还是很有趣的。它于2015年8月22日出生于动物园。

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

从那时起，我们看到贝贝迈出了人生的第一步，第一次体验了雪，还有许多其他可爱但有教育意义的时刻。

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

在过去的几周里，饲养员们已经习惯了贝贝在飞往中国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.

联邦快递为贝贝、它的饲养员和兽医提供了一架直达成都的波音777F飞机。

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.

当贝贝到达新家时，一个美国团队将帮助他适应中国。他们将为他的大熊猫繁殖计划做准备，因为他在5到7岁之间性成熟。

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.

大熊猫被列为“易受伤害”的野生动物。像这样的保护项目让他们的物种得以存活。据估计，野生大熊猫只有1800只。