Beloved giant pandas Huan Huan and Yuan Zi will bid farewell to France this November, concluding a 13-year cultural and scientific exchange that captivated millions. The pair arrived at Beauval Zoo in 2012 as symbols of China-France friendship, later becoming global icons during their appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic flame ceremony.
Zoo officials confirmed Huan Huan's planned return follows a diagnosis of kidney dysfunction requiring specialized care available only in her native habitat. Despite her condition, veterinarians report she maintains normal eating habits and activity levels.
Their homecoming marks both an emotional departure for French visitors and a strategic shift in cross-border conservation efforts. The pandas' tenure enabled groundbreaking joint research on breeding and habitat preservation – work that will continue through shared data and future collaborations.
This transition highlights China's growing role in global wildlife protection, with over 20 countries currently participating in its panda conservation programs. As France prepares farewell events, Chinese experts are readying state-of-the-art facilities to ensure the animals' smooth reintegration.
