Yuan Zi

Basic Profile

Yuan Zi (Chinese: 园子, also known as 圆仔), studbook number 736, is a male giant panda born on September 6, 2008, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding with a birth weight of 152 grams. His mother is Yuan Yuan (园园, studbook 561) and his father is Ping Ping (屏屏). He is known for his playful personality — he enjoys climbing trees, eating apples, and wowotou (steamed cornbread).

His siblings include Yuan Lin (园林), Yuan Zhou (园舟), Yuan Run (园润), Yuan Yue (园月), and Yuan Man (园满), all offspring of Yuan Yuan.

Journey to France

On January 15, 2012, Yuan Zi departed China aboard a FedEx charter flight alongside Huan Huan (欢欢), arriving at ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, France. Upon arrival, the pair were welcomed by a French motorcade of four motorcycles and two gendarme vehicles. After a one-month quarantine period, they were formally introduced to the public in February 2012.

On January 27, 2012, Yuan Zi and Huan Huan participated in the celebration of the 48th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations.

Offspring

Yuan Zi fathered three cubs with Huan Huan at Beauval Zoo:

• Yuan Meng (圆梦), male, born August 4, 2017 — the first giant panda born in France, returned to China in July 2023.
• Huan Li Li (欢黎黎), female, born August 2, 2021 (twin).
• Yuan Du Du (圆嘟嘟), female, born August 2, 2021 (twin).

Yuan Zi was present at Beauval Zoo during the 2024 Paris Olympic torch relay, where his enclosure served as a starting point for the relay route, symbolizing the friendship between China and France.

Return to China

In September 2025, ZooParc de Beauval announced that Yuan Zi and Huan Huan would return to China early due to Huan Huan’s kidney condition. On November 25, 2025, the pair departed France aboard a FedEx charter flight, arriving at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on November 26, 2025. After undergoing a minimum one-month quarantine, Yuan Zi now resides at the Chengdu Base.