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Beauval’s Giant Pandas Set to Return to China on Tuesday After Public Farewell

The move reflects age-related care under a conservation agreement, with their 2021-born twins remaining in France through 2027.

Overview

  • Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, both 17, gave a final public feeding on Sunday after being in quarantine since October 26 under health protocols.
  • A specially equipped truck is set to depart the zoo at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday for Paris-Charles de Gaulle under gendarmerie escort before an approximately 12-hour flight to Chengdu.
  • The zoo says the repatriation was decided in consultation with Chinese authorities as part of the international conservation, research and breeding program.
  • Director Rodolphe Delord reports Huan Huan has non-serious kidney issues and says this accelerated a return originally expected in 2027.
  • Their twin daughters, Yuandudu and Huanlili, will remain at ZooParc de Beauval at least until 2027, and the zoo says discussions continue on hosting new pandas.