Two giant pandas, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, star attractions at France’s Beauval Zoo, departed on Tuesday for China after 13 years in the country, marking the end of an era that drew millions of visitors. Originally scheduled to remain in France until January 2027, the pandas are returning early due to Huan Huan’s diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, a condition common among older bears.

The departure ceremony attracted over 200 well-wishers who braved rainy, cold weather to say goodbye. The pandas, both 17 years old, will retire at the Chengdu panda sanctuary in China, escorted under heavy police protection to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport for their 12-hour flight. During their time at Beauval, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi produced three cubs — the first pandas born in France — with their twin offspring expected to remain at the zoo for now.

Zoo staff expressed deep emotions over the farewell. Keeper Delphine Pouvreau recalled witnessing the birth of the first panda cub in France and spoke of the strong bond formed with the animals during their 13-year stay. Zoo director Rodolphe Delord highlighted the legacy of the pandas in raising awareness about species conservation, coinciding with the giant panda’s recent downgrade from endangered to vulnerable on the global list of at-risk species.

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Huan Huan and Yuan Zi’s arrival in 2012 was part of China’s “panda diplomacy,” wherein the iconic bears are loaned worldwide as symbols of friendship and soft power. Their presence significantly boosted Beauval Zoo’s popularity, attracting around two million visitors in 2023 alone. The pandas’ return to China reopens opportunities for France and China to explore further cooperation in conservation and animal exchange programs.

This farewell marks the conclusion of a notable chapter in Franco-Chinese diplomatic and ecological relations, with hopes that the panda twins will continue to thrive under expert care in China, while future collaborations will sustain the spirit of global conservation efforts.

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