Pandas coming home | From France to Chengdu: Yuanmeng finds his place in panda community

The Paris Olympics opened today (July 26). During the recent Olympic torch relay, the giant panda "Yuanzi" and her twin daughters, "Huan Lili" and "Yuan Dudu," participated in this particular moment alongside the torchbearers. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Chengdu, China, "Yuanzi's" son, the first panda to return home, "Yuanmeng," has fully adapted to life in his hometown, becoming a pleasant and friendly panda.

The connection between China and France regarding giant pandas dates back over a century. In 1869, French missionary Armand David completed the scientific "discovery" of the giant panda during an expedition in Sichuan, marking the 155th anniversary of this significant event this year.

In 2017, "Huan Huan" and "Yuanzi," from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, gave birth to a pair of male twins at the Beauval Zoo in France. One of the cubs, "Yuanmeng," became the first giant panda born in France. On July 26, 2023, "Yuanmeng" returned to the Chengdu base, moving into the Panda Villa No. 1.

Initially, "Yuanmeng" struggled to adapt to his new environment, often wandering the enclosure and appearing timid. Caregiver Huang Tijin explained that to help "Yuanmeng" adjust, the team provided loving care and familiarized him with their voices and scents. They also enriched his diet to encourage exploration of his new surroundings.

Now, "Yuanmeng" has fully embraced his social nature, often munching on bamboo and shoots in front of visitors or climbing his perch to observe his neighbors. Huang noted that when he sees other pandas eating bamboo, he joins in, emphasizing companionship. If he notices them playing, he enjoys watching their antics. Even when caregivers come to collect the neighboring pandas, "Yuanmeng" rushes out to see how they coax "Mengyuan" and "Mengxiang" back, showcasing his playful curiosity.

Huang also shared some of "Yuanmeng's" quirky habits, such as digging in the mud, chasing birds in the garden, and lounging in the pool to cool off during hot weather.

After "Yuanmeng" was officially introduced to the public, friends from France visited him, inquiring about his eating habits, lifestyle, and environment. "We assured them that we will take good care of Yuanmeng in Chengdu," Huang said.