Pandas Fly Home: National Zoo's Beloved Bears Return to China via FedEx

FedEx has been entrusted with the task of transporting three giant pandas, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji, from the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., back to China. The bears are being flown on a dedicated FedEx Panda Express plane, accompanied by National Zoo staff and a FedEx loadmaster to ensure their safety and comfort. The pandas have custom-built transport enclosures and are the sole cargo on the flight, with over 250 pounds of food, including bamboo and other treats, provided for their journey. This marks the end of the Smithsonian National Zoo's panda conservation program, which spanned over five decades, as they continue their efforts to protect the future of giant pandas and their habitat.