Huan Huan & Yuan Zi will return to China

Huan Huan and Yuan Zi have lived at ZooParc de Beauval in central France since 2012. Zoo director Rodolphe Delord announced that the panda couple will return to China for 'peaceful retirement' after Huan Huan was diagnosed with kidney failure.

The two giant pandas, both 17 years old, had been due to stay in France until January 2027 but they will return to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. 

Huan Huan has kidney failure, a chronic disease common in ageing carnivores. 

The pair produced three cubs while in France – the first pandas to do so in the country.

Twins Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu will now stay in France until January 2027. 

Delord said he is hoping to extend the zoo's partnership with China beyond 2027.