Story Created:
Feb 3, 2010 at 10:03 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 3, 2010 at 10:03 AM CDT
BEIJING (AP) - Ni hao - hello - Mei Lan! Chinese zookeepers are advertising for a tutor to teach Chinese to an Atlanta-born giant
panda arriving this week in her parents' homeland.
The language lessons, a special diet and even blind dates are also part of the red-carpet welcome being rolled out for 3-year-old
Mei Lan, or Beautiful Orchid, by Chinese caretakers ahead of her arrival Friday on a special FedEx flight from the U.S. She's due to
leave Zoo Atlanta early Thursday.
Under a deal between China and the U.S., all giant pandas originally from China are only lent out to foreign zoos for scientific study for several years. They and any cubs they produce must all return to China eventually.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
