The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. is currently home to 3 giant pandas: Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi ji. All of them will go back to China in mid-November, leaving the city without pandas for the first time in 23 years.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have lived much of their lives at the National Zoo since December 2000. The initial 10-year agreement to have them live at the zoo was extended three times. They are now over 25 years old, which is equivalent to about 80 years old for human beings.

The couple will make a 19-hour journey to China aboard a FedEx “Giant Panda Express” plane with their youngest cub, 3-year-old Xiao Qi Ji.

Experts from both China and the U.S. see the pandas’ return to their natural habitat as an important step for giant panda conservation.

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