Did you know that Panda Conservation has a juicy political history and it gave way to one of the biggest conservation efforts in the world?

The giant Panda story is a very good example to show that look if we

really put a lot of efforts what difference we can make. It's Tuesday, December 26th, but as you well know, it is also

Science Friday. I'm Cyfry producer Rasha Arredi, and today we're turning our attention to one of the most beloved animals of all time

Giant Pandas earlier this fall Washington DC's three resident pandas returned to China, and their departure stirred up some questions

about why we had pandas in the first place and what this could mean for panda conservation.

As a wildlife nerd and D.C. based journalist, I dug into this with of the But for the first time in more than 50 years the district is pandelis.

Indefinitely. Mama Panda Meishang, Papa Bear, Tian, and their youngest cub,

Shao Chi-G, returned to China in November when their leases ended,

because China actually owns all the world's pandas.

Daybreak in Washington as the National Zoo's three biggest stars began their long journey home.

A sad moment for three bears that are leaving with a little piece of our hearts from DC.

People are so sad that these pandas are gone.

After five decades, time has run out on the Smithsonian's Panda Exchange Program with China.

It's the end of a conservation effort.

And now all these years later,

we are bidding our giant pandas.

Farewell.

Early in the morning on November 8th, the Bear Trio climbed into their crates, embarked on a

luxury trip to Dulles International Airport in private FedEx vans, and then boarded a

VIP one-way flight back home,

featuring in-flight amenities like a couple hundred pounds of bamboo

...