Yuan Meng

Basic Profile

Yuan Meng (Chinese: 圆梦) is a male giant panda born at 22:18 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, and keepers nicknamed him “Mini Yuan Zai” (迷你圆仔), or 卷卷.

His father is Yuan Zi (园子, also known as 圆仔, studbook 736) and his mother is Huan Huan (欢欢, studbook 723). His younger sisters are Huan Lili (欢黎黎) and Yuan Dudu (圆嘟嘟), the twins born at Beauval in 2021. His paternal grandparents are Ping Ping (屏屏) and Yuan Yuan (园园, studbook 561); his maternal grandparents are Lin Lin (琳琳) and Qi Zhen (奇珍).

His twin sibling died shortly after birth, leaving Yuan Meng the only surviving cub.

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.

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Life in France

Yuan Meng was an exceptionally lively cub — at his public debut in January 2018 he spent the morning climbing up and down and exploring while his mother Huan Huan ate her breakfast. Beauval Zoo held a first-birthday celebration for him on August 4, 2018, and he became a beloved symbol of France-China friendship.

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Return to China

Yuan Meng returned to China in July 2023, almost two years before his parents. Beauval Zoo announced the move on May 4, 2023, initially scheduling departure for July 4; on June 27, 2023 the zoo said administrative reasons had pushed the date back, and it was reset to July 25.

At 09:25 on July 25, 2023, he left Beauval for Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. He was seen off by Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye, French First Lady Brigitte Macron, the French Secretary of State for Biodiversity, and Beauval director Delord. China and France had already completed the handover of his habits, husbandry, behavioural training and health records, and the zoo sent two keepers to accompany him with a supply of his favourite food for the journey.

His plane landed in Chengdu on July 26, 2023, and he began a new life at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The base published updates on his post-return life in May 2024, and on December 4, 2024 CCTV presenter Kang Hui visited him there on the same day China and France signed a new letter of intent on giant panda cooperation.

Legacy

On March 22, 2024, a 2.5-meter bronze statue titled “Yuan Meng: Fulfilling a Dream” (《“圆梦”：圆一个梦想》) was unveiled at Beauval Zoo to commemorate him as the first panda born in France.