At the quiet enclosure of the ZooParc de Beauval, workers and keepers gathered this week to say goodbye to two much-loved giant pandas, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, ahead of their journey back to China for retirement.
Huan Huan and Yuan Zi have lived at the zoo since 2012, on loan from Beijing as part of a long-standing partnership aimed at strengthening diplomatic and conservation ties between France and China. The twins they produced during their stay will remain at Beauval, while the pair will depart at the end of November due to Huan Huan’s kidney-related health issues.
For keeper Delphine Pouvreau, who has cared for the pandas since their arrival, the final days feel both poignant and precious. “They’re very special animals,” she said, reflecting on the bond she has formed with them over the past thirteen years. She emphasised that every remaining moment together matters, especially as the pair enter a quarantine period prior to travel.
The zoo is located about 250 kilometres south of Paris, and the announcement of the pandas’ departure came last month after Huan Huan’s kidney ailment made the trip back to China unavoidable. The move signals an end of an era at Beauval, which welcomed the pair as a symbol of France-China friendship and a major draw for visitors. Marketing chief Anaïs Maury highlighted how the pandas are viewed in China as “a national treasure,” and that hosting them is “a great sign of confidence.”
In France, the pair became well-known figures at the zoo, capturing the public’s affection and marking the birth of the first baby panda in France. Keeper Pouvreau recalled that tiny newborn weighing only “100 to 140 grams” and how meaningful the reproduction process was.
While the departure of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi is heartfelt for staff and visitors alike, ZooParc de Beauval is already planning for the future. According to Maury, the zoo is in discussions about welcoming more pandas from China in the years ahead.
As the pandas prepare to travel, staff at the zoo are focused on making the transition as smooth as possible. They are working to ensure the animals receive the best care during quarantine and the journey back. For everyone at Beauval, this farewell is not just about departure, it’s about honouring the time spent and the connection formed between humans and these iconic animals.
