Chengdu ready to welcome giant panda from France

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has completed necessary preparations to welcome Yuan Meng from France, the base said on Tuesday.

According to the Sino-French giant panda cooperation research agreement, Yuan Meng who was unable to return on time due to the epidemic, will come on July 25, the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens said.

The France's first-ever giant panda cub was born in August 2017 in Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire.

The male panda's parents, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, arrived at the zoo in 2012 from Chengdu, marking the start of a 10-year collaborative conservation research project between the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens and the Beauval Zoo in France.

To ensure the safe and smooth return of Yuan Meng to China, Chinese and French authorities have exchanged information about the panda's living habits, feeding, behavior training and health status, the base said.

It has been agreed that two personnel from the French side will escort Yuan Meng back to China, bringing along a suitable amount of his favorite food to assist with the transition.

In preparation for the panda's quarantine, the base has prepared a dedicated quarantine facility that customs approved of. It includes an indoor enclosure, an outdoor exercise areas and a feed processing room. The indoor enclosure is equipped with air conditioning.

During the quarantine period, experienced keepers and veterinarians will be responsible for feeding, caring for, and monitoring Yuan Meng's health. They will accompany the panda throughout the one-month quarantine period to help him readjust to life in China as soon as possible.