SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Zoo is about to have one fewer panda.

Final arrangements are being made to move one of the four giant pandas at the zoo to a Chinese research facility, San Diego Zoo officials announced Wednesday.

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Later this month, 4-year-old female Hua Mei is to be transferred to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

Under the stipulations of the zoo's research loan with China, all cubs born at the zoo are to be transferred to China after their third birthday.

The transfer was originally scheduled for last year, but was twice put on hold; once due to poor weather conditions and then because of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

When she was born in 1999, Hua Mei became the first giant panda ever born and to survive in the United States. Last month, her mother, Bai Yun, gave birth to a still-unnamed cub at the San Diego Zoo.

Bai Yun, as well as the male panda Gao Gao, are both on loan to the zoo from China.

"The political and conservation significance of this transfer is noteworthy, for it solidifies our relationship with China and is a validation of the outstanding work of our scientists and animal husbandry team," said Don Lindburg, leader of the zoo's panda monitoring team.

"Through Hua Mei's birth, we gained valuable knowledge of panda biology and China gains a beautiful, healthy female for its breeding program," Lindburg said.

Hua Mei's last day on exhibit at the zoo will be Sept. 23.