Photos: National Zoo says goodbye to giant pandas

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Giant Pandas — Returning to China A crate carrying Panda Mei Xiang is moved out of the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 8, 2023. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China Giant Panda Mei Xiang licks up water while resting in its enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China by the end of the year, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China Giant Panda Mei Xiang eats bamboo while resting in its enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China by the end of the year, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China Giant Panda Tian Tian rests in its enclosure at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023, on the pants final day of viewing before returning to China. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China by the end of the year, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China Giant Panda statues are stored in a back parking lot at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China by the end of the year, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Stuffed giant panda toys sit on a shelf for sale during a 'Panda Palooza' event atthe Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Throughout the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three giant pandas who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji rolls around in his enclosure during a 'Panda Palooza' event at the Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Through out the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three Giant Panda's who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Male giant panda Tian Tian eats a frozen fruit cake in his enclosure during a 'Panda Palooza' event at the Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Throughout the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three giant pandas who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China A person monitors the Giant Panda House at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, on November 7, 2023. All three of the zoo's pandas are leaving for China by the end of the year, bringing at least a temporary end to a decades-old connection between the cuddly animal and the US capital. And while the pandas' departure had been expected due to contractual obligations, many can't help but see the shift as reflective of the growing strains between Beijing and Washington. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Male giant panda Tian Tian eats a frozen fruit cake in his enclosure during a 'Panda Palooza' event at the Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Throughout the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three giant pandas who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: People wear Giant Panda memorabilia as they watch male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eat a frozen fruit cake in his enclosure during a 'Panda Palooza' event Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Through out the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three Giant Panda's who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 23: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji walks around his enclosure during a 'Panda Palooza' event Smithsonian National Zoo on September 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Throughout the rest of September the National Zoo is holding a series of events for the public to commemorate the upcoming departure of the three giant pandas who will return to China in December due to an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 21: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats an ice cake for his third birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on August 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the last year that the National Zoo is celebrating the birthdays for the three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji as they are scheduled to return to China later in 2023, with no replacements expected to be exchanged. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Giant Pandas — Returning to China WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 21: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji lounges in his enclosure before eating an ice cake for his third birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on August 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the last year that the National Zoo is celebrating the birthdays for the three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji as they are scheduled to return to China later in 2023, with no replacements expected to be exchanged. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

November 08, 2023 at 8:44 am EST

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