(Saint-Aignan) Yuandudu and Huanlili: the first names of the two pandas twins born last August 2 at Beauval Zoo were unveiled Thursday by French footballer Kylian Mbappé and Chinese Olympic champion Zhang Jiaqi.
The two athletes, godfather and godmother of the pandas, discovered a plaque, protected by a red fabric, in the presence of two small plantigrades installed in their wooden park on wheels, with plexiglass walls.
“Yuandudu and Huanlili are inspired by the names of the parents, Yuan Zi and Huan Huan. They evoke the wish for healthy growth for babies and symbolize the deep ties that unite China and France, ”Delphine Delord, deputy director of the Beauval zoo, told AFP.
PHOTO SARAH MEYSSONNIER, REUTERS
Soccer player Kylian Mbappé, godfather of one of the two pandas, discovered a plaque, protected by a red cloth.
Baby names are traditionally Chinese names chosen by the First Lady of China, Peng Liyuan. This time, it was the French public who, for the first time, decided on the names.
“More than 122,000 French people have connected to our site to choose first names. Yuandudu and Huanlili were acclaimed. They received more than 45% of favorable votes ”, underlined Delphine Delord.
The PSG footballer is the godfather of Yuandudu (Little snow) and the synchronized diving champion Zhang Jiaqi, gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is godmother of Huanlili (Cotton flower).
“The presence of these two very high level athletes, followed by millions of fans, sends a strong signal to the youth, of the necessary preservation of diversity and carries a strong message to future generations. This naming ceremony is being watched live by millions of Chinese for whom pandas are national treasures, ”said Mme Delord.
The public was able to comment on a list of 10 Chinese first names posted on the zoo’s website and previously selected by the Chinese Association of Zoological Parks.