Giant Panda Bao Bao in Washington Zoo to depart for China

WASHINGTON - Giant Panda Bao Bao will be making the journey back to China on Feb 21, the Smithsonian National Zoo said Monday in a statement.

Bao Bao was born on Aug 23, 2013 at the Washington Zoo, and is nearing her fourth birthday.

According to arrangements between China and the United States, giant pandas born here must move back to China at around four. Tai Shan, another giant panda born in the Washington zoo in 2005, was shipped by in 2010.

One keeper and one veterinarian will fly with Bao Bao to China's Chengdu, where the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda is located.

Bao Bao will travel with a supply of her favorite treats, including bamboo, apples, pears, cooked sweet potatoes and water, the statement said.

The Washington zoo now has three other giant pandas, an adult female Mei Xiang, 18, an adult male Tian Tian, 19, and a male cub Bei Bei, 1.