Two China-born giant pandas, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, safely arrived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Wednesday after traveling on a chartered flight from France. Upon arrival, the pair was transferred to the quarantine facility at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where they will undergo at least one month of quarantine and medical observation, according to an official statement from the research base.
Huan Huan, a female born in August 2008, and Yuan Zi, a male born in September 2008, had lived at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France, since January 2012. During their stay, the pandas played a pivotal role in international conservation efforts, including scientific research, staff training, and public education programs. The collaboration has helped strengthen China-France relations, with panda-themed art exhibitions and outreach initiatives sparking widespread public interest in wildlife conservation.
China sent a specialized team of keepers and veterinarians to France ahead of the transfer to ensure the pandas’ safe return. The team provided on-site care, monitored behavioral habits, assisted with routine examinations and health assessments, and accompanied the pandas and French veterinarians throughout the journey back to China.
During their time at Beauval Zoo, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi produced two litters, resulting in three cubs. Their first cub, Yuan Meng, was born in August 2017. In August 2021, Huan Huan gave birth to twins, Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu, whose names incorporate cultural elements from both Paris and Chengdu. The naming ceremony was attended by Chinese Olympic champion Zhang Jiaqi and French football star Kylian Mbappé.
The twins, Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu, will remain in France until January 2027, when the current phase of the China-France panda cooperation project concludes. The project has served as a vital platform for fostering mutual understanding between the two countries while advancing global giant panda conservation efforts.
