Local panda-philes only have a few more months to visit the National Zoo’s giant pandas before they head to China, potentially leaving the city panda-free for the first time in decades.

All three pandas at the National Zoo are scheduled to leave by December 7 in accordance with an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, a zoo official confirms to DCist/WAMU. That agreement has already been extended several times, including most recently in 2020 when it was announced that the pandas would have three more years to call the District home.

Pandas first arrived at the National Zoo in 1972, setting off panda-monium in D.C. The animals have been city celebrities ever since, cultivating a passionate local fanbase and drawing tourists and visitors to the zoo for more than 50 years.

Now, though, time appears to be almost up for the beloved bears. Discussions remain ongoing about if and when more pandas might be heading back to the District, according to zoo officials.

“We’re working with our Chinese partners to develop a new giant panda program,” Zoo spokesperson Annalisa Meyer tells DCist/WAMU in a written statement. “After 51 years of success, we remain committed to the conservation of this species, which includes gaining a better understanding of the giant panda habitat. We’ve accomplished a lot. Now it is a question of what the science and conservation needs are for the future and how do we best pool our expertise and resources to attain new conservation goals.”

Last year, zoo officials told DCist/WAMU that they were hopeful they could eventually come to an agreement with China that would keep giant pandas here “forever.”

In the meantime, the zoo is holding several panda-centric celebrations. Last month, panda mom Mei Xiang enjoyed a blue “fruitsicle cake” for her 25th birthday. Then, earlier this week, baby bear Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his third birthday with treats made from apple and pineapple juices, mashed sweet potatoes, carrots, and honey. And this coming Sunday, Tian Tian will also get a special birthday cake for his 26th birthday.

These will be “their last birthdays in Washington, D.C.,” per the Zoo’s website.

In addition, a “farewell celebearation” called “Panda Palooza” is being planned for next month. It’s set to take place from September 23 to October 1 with more details to be announced after Labor Day, Meyer says.

On April 16, 1972, First Lady Pat Nixon first welcomed a female panda named Ling-Ling and a male named Hsing-Hsing to the National Zoo. They were a gift from China, in exchange for two Arctic Musk Oxen, and essentially used as a political tool in what became known as “panda diplomacy.”

Both animals lived into the 1990s and had five cubs together, though none lived past a few days. About a year after Hsing-Hsing’s death in 1999, the Zoo and the Chinese government came to another agreement for more pandas to come to the District. That’s when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived. They have been charming locals ever since.

But what made this agreement different than the original one is that the pandas would be on loan. That’s why three bears have gone back to China over the last 13 years and why the ones currently at the zoo are set to go back later this year.

While it certainly is a huge bummer that there might be no more pandas at the National Zoo, local animal lovers can at least take in the cuteness of the zoo’s newest babies including three meerkat pups and a western lowland gorilla named Zahra.

The National Zoo still requires free online passes to visit, a requirement that may continue indefinitely.