Looks like we may have some media at Zoo Atlanta video recording dear Mei Lan, so I took a screen cap. Maybe they are documenting her moving to China.
And the staff at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding are all set for Mei Lan to arrive and have developed a plan to help her in her transition at the base.
I hadn't thought about that before but she and Tai Shan will need to learn training commands in Chinese. Interesting.
Chengdu to hire Chinese teacher for Mei Lan's return
By People's Daily Online, February 02, 2010
Base officials said that since Mei Lan has lived in the U.S. since an early age and is unfamiliar with the Chinese language. It will be difficult for her to understand the Sichuan dialect after returning to her hometown of Chengdu, therefore the base is preparing to hire a Chinese teacher for her.
The Chengdu Research Base has already opened a website, inviting panda fans worldwide to choose a boyfriend for Mei Lan by voting according to the appearance, personality, and lifestyle of male pandas that are of the right age and based on the scientific pairing recommendation of the giant panda experts at the base.
Panda fans who are interested in teaching Mei Lan Chinese can apply for the position on the website.
Reporters learned that the base staff have already prepared a temporary "boudoir" for Mei Lan. This is a single quarantine hall where each returning panda will have to stay for a period.
The staff at the base said that due to the quiet environment of the quarantine hall, outside interference is well avoided and the stress response of Mei Lan is reduced, she can therefore quickly adapt to life in her new home. There are 2 ventilated, dry rooms in the hall so Mei Lan can enjoy indoor life in case the climate outside does not allow her to go out. Connected to the 2 indoor suites are 2 supporting outdoor habitats where Mei Lan can move around freely to ensure her good health.
Huang Xiangming, the director of Animal Management at the research base, told reporters that the base has already contacted the U.S. to bring some of Mei Lan's favorite snacks in order to help her better pass through the transition phase, and will gradually replace the snacks with the local food offered to pandas at the base. Meanwhile, Mei Lan will also be able to enjoy a variety of fresh bamboo. The people who will accompany Mei Lan during her quarantine period are also experienced breeders at the base.
