Pandas depart US National Zoo for China

After 23 years at the National Zoo in Washington DC, three giant pandas were returned to China.

In 1972, China loaned the US its first giant panda after President Richard Nixon resumed the two countries' diplomatic relations.

Now, zoos in DC, Memphis and San Diego have returned their pandas back to China. The Atlanta Zoo pandas, which are the only ones left in the country, will go back to China at the start of 2024.