New Pandas Headed to France by 2027 Following Successful Conservation Partnership
Chengdu, China (AFP) – France will receive a new pair of giant pandas from China by 2027, continuing a long-standing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials announced Friday during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China.
Rodolphe Delord, director of the Beauval Zoo, stated, “We will definitely receive new pandas. I hope this transfer of pandas will happen fairly quickly. In any case it will be early 2027 at the latest,” speaking from Chengdu, home to a panda conservation center collaborating with the zoo.
The proclamation follows the return of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, the only giant pandas previously housed in France, to China on November 25th. The pair, on loan to Beauval Zoo since 2012, were repatriated earlier than the initially planned 2027 date due to Huan Huan’s kidney failure. Beijing had previously pledged to provide replacements.
A letter of intent to extend the cooperative agreement has been signed,with the Chinese Association for wildlife Conservation,Beauval Zoo’s partner,confirming that the new pandas are expected to arrive in 2027 for a ten-year cooperation period.
“A new phase of cooperation will begin when the current cooperation expires and after the return to China of the two little pandas from France,” the Association stated.
Currently, twin pandas born at Beauval Zoo remain in France. Delord acknowledged uncertainty regarding their future, stating, “We don’t yet know very well if the twins are going to leave and if we are going to receive a new couple, if we are going to send a twin away and keep a male, everything is still under discussion.”
Brigitte Macron, wife of the French President, visited the Chengdu panda center on Friday and observed Yuan Meng, the first panda born in France in 2017, who returned to China in 2023. She remarked on his growth, saying, “I don’t recognize him, he’s grown a lot (but) the character hasn’t changed.” She also highlighted the importance of the collaboration, calling it “soft power.” Yuan Meng now consumes up to 50 kilograms of bamboo daily.
© AFP
