After spending 23 years in the U.S., the pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., begin their journey back to China, marking the end of the animals' tenure in the U.S. The pandas were originally expected to leave the district by early December, according to a news release from the zoo. But the zoo moved that deadline up, in line with a three-year contract the zoo has with the China Wildlife Conservation. The district pandas' departure comes after zoos in Memphis and San Diego have already returned their pandas to China. Tap the link in our bio to read more.