Panda Tai Shan: The Person Who Knows Tai Shan Best

Feb. 4, 2010— -- The following is a first person account by zookeeper Nicole Meese, the principal keeper of Tai Shan, the much-loved panda at the Washington National Zoo. Today, Tai Shan departed for China, where he will find a new home. Meese, who has taken care of Tai Shan for 4 ½ years, accompanied him on the flight. ABC News interviewed Nicole Meese to share her thoughts on Tai Shan.

I've been working with Tai Shan ever since he was born. I've been his trainer since he was 6 months old.

So we've spent a lot of hours together. At first I have to admit Tai Shan wasn't especially cute, when he was really little. Baby pandas are very tiny, pink, nearly hairless, their eyes and ears are closed, they look more like a rat at first.

We were just happy that he was healthy and moving around and very vocal . It took a few weeks for his markings to come in and his fur to come in and ever since then, he's been the cutest thing ever.

Baby Tai Shan

Beyond that we didn't pick him up much. We did go into the yard with him when he was a young cub. He used to follow us around, chase the bamboo and follow us everywhere when we were setting up the yards.

A Panda's Favorite Foods

He's not a fan of carrots, and neither is his father, so it's kind of interesting, having never lived together. They have the same food likes and dislikes.

Tai Shan enjoys playing, exploring his environment, rolling down the hill, climbing up trees, running around his yard. He's been seen chasing some squirrels and birds over the years.

'He Just Makes Me Laugh, Makes Me Smile'

What's surprised me the most is the public's reaction to Tai Shan, the people who have followed him ever since he was a teeny cub on the panda cam and have been here regularly visiting on the weekends, during the week and particularly in the last few days.

He's got a really strong fan base, not just locally but around the world. It's really surprised me how much he's touched people and gotten them interested in panda conservation.

I think he's the cutest thing ever and he just makes me laugh, makes me smile. He touches other people too. You don't have to know him personally and interact with him. Just to watch him from a distance, he just has a special charisma that makes everybody interested.

Saying Goodbye

I will say good bye to him on the plane in private. I've been thinking a lot about the goodbye a lot the last few days, but I won't actually say goodbye until we're in flight.

I haven't thought about the actual goodbye yet. That's going to be very difficult. I'll definitely say my goodbyes and tell him what the last 4 ½ years have meant to me.

He's just a special bear . I think you bond with some animals more than others and he's one that I've bonded with quite strongly. He just makes me smile every day.

ABC's Toni Wilson contributed to this story.