(NewsNation) — Two giant pandas have landed in Washington, D.C., as they head toward the National Zoo less than a year after a previous pair were returned to China.

The pandas are on loan from China to the U.S. and the zoo is closed to the public Tuesday to allow for the pandas’ safe arrival.

The male and female pair are named Bao Li and Qing Boa and are said to be lively 3-year-old pandas who enjoy climbing.

Pandas first came to the National Zoo in 1972 after President Richard Nixon traveled to China to open diplomatic and trade relations between China and the U.S. It was the start of what’s been called panda diplomacy, with China using the animals to achieve diplomatic goals.

In 2000, China sent Mei Xiang and Tian Tian to the National Zoo and the pair had a cub, Xiao Qi Ji, in 2020, and all three were returned to China in November 2023.

With the panda family’s departure, Zoo Atlanta, which is set to return its pandas this year, became the only zoo in the U.S. to house giant pandas.

This summer giant pandas returned to the San Diego Zoo, and now the National Zoo will once again be home to the species that is considered a national treasure in China.

The black and white bears are considered vulnerable, and U.S. zoos are only allowed to import giant pandas if they can ensure China uses half the loan fee for conservation efforts.

Bao Li, the male panda, has a D.C. connection, as his mother Bao Bao was born at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in 2013.

Upon arrival at the zoo, the pandas will be quarantined for at least 30 days and after that will be given a few weeks to settle into their habitat before being viewed by the public.