This is great news for panda lovers! China has just confirmed the shipment of new giant pandas to the Beauval Zoo. "at the latest early 2027"Rodolphe Delord, the zoo director, announced this statement. The statement was made while the president... Emmanuel Macron is visiting Chengdu, home to a panda conservation center working in partnership with the French zoo. According to the director, the transfer should take place quickly, but the deadline remains set for early 2027.
The early return of pandas Huan Huan and Yuan Zi
This announcement follows the recent departure of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, pandas who had been at Beauval Zoo for 13 years. Their repatriation, initially planned for 2027, was brought forward due to Huan Huan's kidney failure. The zoo must now decide the fate of the twins born in France in 2021. "We don't yet know for sure if the twins will leave and if we will receive a new pair, if we will send one twin and keep a male, everything is still under discussion."Rodolphe Delord specified.
A prolonged partnership with China
During Emmanuel Macron's visit, the Beauval ZooParc signed a 10-year extension of its partnership with the Chengdu center, which was initially due to end in 2027. This partnership focuses on the conservation of giant pandas, scientific research, and educating the French public about the protection of this iconic species.
Yuan Meng, a symbol of Franco-Chinese cooperation
The Chengdu center is also home to Yuan Meng, the first panda born in France in 2017, whose godmother is Brigitte Macron. Yuan Meng arrived in China in 2023 and continues to be monitored by the conservation center. The prospect of receiving new pandas in 2027 demonstrates the continuity and strength of scientific and diplomatic cooperation between France and China.
