The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington is saying goodbye to its beloved giant panda Bao Bao.

The three-and-a-half-year-old panda will be moved from the zoo to her new home in Chengdu, China where she will eventually enter the breeding programme.

By the rules of China's breeding programme, pandas must eventually be returned to China.

Bao Bao will be shipped in a large crate via FedEx, and have at least 50 pounds of bamboo to eat along the way.

Zookeepers have been training the panda to spend time inside the container in preparation for her 16 hour flight.