Panda Tai Shan to be sent to China for breeding

A young giant male panda, who became a major attraction after his birth at Washington's National Zoo, will leave for China early next year.

A young giant male panda, who became a major  attraction after his birth at Washington's  National Zoo, will leave for China early  next year.

Tai Shan could leave the Smithsonian Institution park as soon as January. Under the Smithsonian's panda loan agreement, any cub born at the zoo must be sent to China. There are a total of 14 pandas on loan from China to US zoos in Atlanta, Washington, San Diego and Memphis.

Under the agreements with the zoos, China loans panda pairs for breeding and conservation research. Any cubs the pandas produce are the property of China and must become part of the country's breeding program.

A young giant male panda, who became a major attraction after his  birth at Washington's National Zoo, will leave for China early  next year.