Two of China's most prominent overseas ambassadors — a pair of giant pandas sent to France in 2012 — will be returning home ahead of schedule over health-related reasons.

Thirteen years ago, Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the ZooParc de Beauval in France's Loire Valley. Their move was part of China's panda diplomacy, which has sent these globally recognized symbols of China to zoos around the world in pairs.

The pandas, both aged 17, were due to stay until January 2027, but will now return early to retire at the Chengdu panda sanctuary after Huan Huan was diagnosed with kidney failure.

The couple had three babies during their time in France, with the oldest, Yuan Meng, having gone back to China in 2023, but twins Yuandudu and Huanlili, who were born in 2021, will remain at Beauval, which it is hoped might lead to the zoo extending its partnership with China beyond the current expiry date of 2027.

The pandas, which were given heavy police escort for their journey to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for their flight home, became one of Beauval's biggest attractions during their stay, and more than 200 admirers braved miserable weather to say goodbye as they left their home of the last 13 years for the final time, including two fans who came to see them off dressed in full-body panda costumes.

Zookeeper Delphine Pouvreau told public broadcaster RFI their departure would be "very difficult".

"All the zookeepers had a strong relationship with them," she said. "We experienced the first birth of a baby panda in France here. This memory will remain etched in our hearts."

Zoo director Rodolphe Delord said that as soon as the health issue, which is common in pandas of that age, became apparent, the decision was made to curtail their time in France and return them to China "before her condition worsens".

Kidney issues

Rapid kidney failure was the cause of death of another panda, Xin Xin, who died in Macau in June 2014, just weeks after passing a physical examination, and it was also reported to be a contributory factor in the death of the world's oldest panda, Ming Ming, who died in 2011 aged 34, hugely exceeding the average lifespan of a captive panda, which is around 22 years.

Pandas are famously difficult breeders, which is why the arrival of three cubs during Huan Huan and Yuan Zi's time in France was such major news. The change came after years of conservation efforts, with wild panda numbers recovering to around 1,800.