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Yuan Meng
圆梦
alive male
Born August 4, 2017
Yuan Meng (圆梦), studbook #1094, is a male giant panda born on August 4, 2017 at Beauval Zoo in France — the first giant panda ever born in France. His parents are Yuan Zi (圆仔) and Huan Huan (欢欢). Named by the Chinese and French First Ladies, his godmother is French President Macron's wife Brigitte Macron. He returned to China on July 26, 2023 and now resides at the Chengdu Research Base. A 2.5-meter bronze statue in his honor was unveiled at Beauval Zoo in March 2024.
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Profile snapshot
Quick facts
Birth date
August 4, 2017
Birth place
ZooParc de Beauval
Current location
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Status
Alive
Studbook
#1094Archive activity
4 updates · 0 media
Narrative
Life story
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Short version
Yuan Meng (圆梦), studbook #1094, is a male giant panda born on August 4, 2017 at Beauval Zoo in France — the first giant panda ever born in France. His parents are Yuan Zi (圆仔) and Huan Huan (欢欢). Named by the Chinese and French First Ladies, his godmother is French President Macron's wife Brigitte Macron. He returned to China on July 26, 2023 and now resides at the Chengdu Research Base. A 2.5-meter bronze statue in his honor was unveiled at Beauval Zoo in March 2024.
Basic Profile
Yuan Meng (Chinese: 圆梦) is a male giant panda born on August 4, 2017, at ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, France — the first giant panda ever born in France. He holds the global studbook number 1094. His birth weight was 142 grams.
His father is Yuan Zi (圆仔, studbook 550) and his mother is Huan Huan (欢欢, studbook 951). He has younger half-sisters: Huan Li Li (欢黎黎) and Yuan Du Du (圆嘟嘟) (born 2021).
His twin sibling unfortunately died shortly after birth.
Naming
On December 4, 2017, his name “Yuan Meng” (圆梦, meaning “Dream Fulfilled”) was jointly announced by Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan and French First Lady Brigitte Macron. Brigitte Macron also served as his godmother.
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Yuan Meng at Beauval Zoo on his 40th birthday, December 16, 2017.
Public Debut
On January 13, 2018, Yuan Meng made his first public appearance, described as very lively and curious — climbing and exploring while his mother ate bamboo.
Life in France
Yuan Meng celebrated his birthdays annually at Beauval Zoo. He became a beloved cultural ambassador for France-China friendship.
Return to China
Originally scheduled for July 4, 2023, the return was delayed to July 25, 2023 due to administrative reasons. On the day of departure, Brigitte Macron personally saw him off at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, alongside Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye.
Yuan Meng arrived in Chengdu on July 26, 2023, and now resides at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Legacy
On March 22, 2024, a 2.5-meter bronze statue titled “Yuan Meng: Fulfilling a Dream” was unveiled at Beauval Zoo to commemorate his legacy as the first panda born in France.
Evidence
Life timeline
Key updates and milestone events tied to Yuan Meng.
2023 (1)
2018 (1)
Knowledge graph
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Themes connected to Yuan Meng
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Connected archive
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Place journey
Current location
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Chengdu, China
Yuan Meng is currently linked to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Mentioned in archive reading
culture
ZooParc de Beauval and Yuan Meng: France's Intimate Panda Love Affair
When Yuan Meng was born at ZooParc de Beauval in 2017 — the first panda cub ever born in France — it was a national event. First Lady Brigitte Macron became his godmother. Millions of French visitors have since made the pilgrimage to the Loire Valley to see him. This article tells the story of France's panda program and the cub who became a French cultural phenomenon.
culture
The Great Return: Why Overseas-Born Pandas Must Come Home
Every panda born outside China must return by age four — a clause that shapes the emotional landscape of international panda cooperation. From Tai Shan (2005) to Fu Bao (2024), this article traces the biological, legal, and emotional dimensions of the panda homecoming, examining what happens when an overseas-born panda lands in Chengdu and must learn to be a Chinese panda.
culture
The Ultimate Panda Documentary Guide: 50+ Films Every Panda Lover Needs to Watch
A curated global guide to over 50 panda documentaries spanning seven decades, seven thematic categories, and ten countries — from Pan Wenshi's raw Qinling field recordings in the 1990s to the 2024 Korean theatrical release Goodbye, Grandpa. Every film is verified, reviewed, and linked to the real pandas, keepers, and breeding centers behind the footage.
culture
Behind Every Name: The Art and Meaning of Naming Giant Pandas
From 'Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan' (symbolizing reunion) to 'Fu Bao' (lucky treasure), every giant panda name carries layers of cultural meaning, political significance, and public sentiment. This article explores the naming traditions, the global naming contests, and how panda nicknames — like Hua Hua's 'Guo Lai' — have become a unique form of modern Chinese internet folk culture.
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Primary source types
- Conservation institution records
- Official panda databases
- Research publications and archive reporting
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