Yuandudu and Huanlili will return to China on 17 December: the pandas’ story continues at Beauval
A particularly significant chapter in the history of the giant pandas at Beauval is about to come to an end. Yuandudu and Huanlili will leave the ZooParc de Beauval on 17 December 2026 to return to China, more than five years after their birth at Beauval on 2 August 2021.
Their departure is sure to stir emotions amongst both staff and visitors, many of whom have watched them grow up since their very first days. Now over five years old, the twin females are doing well and continue to be closely monitored by Beauval’s animal care and veterinary teams. This departure will not mark the end of the story of the giant pandas at Beauval: as part of the ongoing cooperation between France and China, a new male and a new female will soon be joining the ZooParc de Beauval.
Over five years of wonderful moments with Yuandudu and Huanlili
Born on the night of 2 August 2021, just a few minutes apart, Yuandudu and Huanlili immediately made their mark on Beauval’s history. Four years after the birth of their brother Yuan Meng – the first giant panda born in France – the arrival of the two little females stirred immense emotion amongst both staff and the public.
From their first weeks with their mother, Huan Huan, to exploring their enclosures in the Heights of China, millions of visitors have watched them grow, develop and gradually gain independence.
For more than five years, the two sisters have been a constant feature of life at the Heights of China. Some visitors first saw them when they were still very small, whilst others returned visit after visit, watching them grow and gradually learning to tell them apart. All these moments have forged a special bond between the twins and the visitors at Beauval.
A memorable Naming Ceremony
A few months after their birth, on 18 November 2021, another important milestone in their story was celebrated at Beauval: the Naming Ceremony.
It was on this occasion that their official names, Yuandudu and Huanlili, were revealed in the presence of their godfather and godmother: Kylian Mbappé, international footballer and 2018 World Cup winner, godfather to Yuandudu, and Zhang Jiaqi, Chinese diver and Olympic champion, godmother to Huanlili.
Held just over 100 days after their birth, this ceremony formalised the names chosen following a public vote and was one of the highlights of the twins’ first few weeks at Beauval.
Two sisters, two personalities
Over the years, the teams have learnt to recognise each girl’s distinctive traits. Huanlili is generally more active, constantly moving about, rolling around and playing within her enclosure. Yuandudu, who is calmer, spends more time resting and feeding.
These behavioural differences are clearly visible on a daily basis, and the most observant visitors may well have noticed them themselves during their encounters with the twins.
Several opportunities to say goodbye
In the run-up to their departure, Beauval will offer visitors the chance to relive the highlights of Yuandudu and Huanlili’s story and to send them a final message.
A dedicated area will allow you to share memories, photos and kind words, whilst a range of content dedicated to the twins will accompany their final weeks at Beauval. You can also share your own memories on social media using the hashtag #AuRevoirLesJumelles.
A final afternoon tea with Yuandudu and Huanlili will also be organised before their departure. The date and details will be announced shortly. Stay tuned!
Ambassadors for biodiversity conservation
Beyond the affection they have inspired, Yuandudu and Huanlili have also helped raise public awareness of the protection of the giant panda – a species classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List – and, more broadly, of biodiversity conservation.
Through their birth, growth and development, the public has gained a better understanding of the challenges involved in conserving this iconic species and the work carried out as part of the cooperation between France and China.
As the daughters of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, who arrived at Beauval in 2012, and the younger sisters of Yuan Meng, the first giant panda born in France, Yuandudu and Huanlili have, in turn, left a lasting impression on Beauval and on all those who have watched them grow up.
Find out all about the giant pandas at Beauval
A new chapter with the arrival of a pair of giant pandas
Their departure for China is part of the ongoing cooperation on giant panda conservation that has been in place since 2012.
The continuation of this cooperation was announced in December 2025, when a letter of intent was signed in Beijing setting out the broad outlines of the future Franco-Chinese partnership. This also provided for the arrival of a new pair of giant pandas at Beauval.
Whilst the departure of Yuandudu and Huanlili will mark the end of a particularly emotional chapter, the story of pandas in France will continue at Beauval. A male and a female will soon be joining the ZooParc de Beauval. After more than five years alongside Yuandudu and Huanlili, the time to say goodbye is drawing near. But already, a new chapter in the story of giant pandas is unfolding at Beauval…
