Panda poised for new life in Sichuan

At the Washington zoo on Monday, Cindy Gordon, who lives in the US capital, was taking photos with her smartphone. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she and other visitors finally had to leave at the repeated request of zoo workers.

"I feel so sad that Bei Bei is leaving," she said "He was the first panda I have ever bonded with when I moved here from New York."

Gordon said she had visited Bei Bei more than 40 times over the past four years and liked watching him do somersaults in the snow.

"The pandas live alone－they are so isolated－but Bei Bei seems to be so content and happy. So, when I moved here and I was feeling lonely, I looked at Bei Bei, and saw he was very happy to be on his own."

An area is being set up next to Bei Bei's outdoor habitat for well-wishers to write post cards to him in China.

Gordon wrote on hers: "We are so sad that you're leaving (Washington) DC, but we're excited for the next chapter in your life. We hope you love your new home in China, and we hope to visit you there some day. Thank you for being our friend."

In recent weeks, panda keepers at the zoo have been making preparations to ensure Bei Bei is comfortable and safe during the 16-hour journey to China.

According to a statement from the zoo, the preparations included getting the cub used to a travel crate; first by training him to walk through it, then spending time inside with the door closed.