French zoo workers say goodbye as pandas head to retirement in China

Giant pandas Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, star attractions at France's Beauval Zoo, will head to retirement in China next month, leaving behind twins born during a 13-year stay intended to strengthen diplomatic ties.

Keeper Delphine Pouvreau, who has cared for them since their arrival in 2012, says she's cherishing every moment that remains before their departure, which was prompted by Huan Huan's kidney problems.

"They're very special animals," she told Reuters before the pandas go into quarantine ahead of the trip, saying she had formed a strong attachment to them from the start.

"We'll take care of them every day and, above all, make sure they are well during this period ... And of course, we're really going to make the most of our time with them before they go."

Last month, the zoo, 250 km (155 miles) south of Paris, announced the pair would be leaving at the end of November due to Huan Huan's kidney ailment. This would be the last opportunity for them to be able to make the journey, it said.

Huan Huan and Yuan Zi, both now 17 years old, were loaned to France by Beijing in 2012, with their arrival hailed as a sign of warming diplomatic ties. During their time in France they gave birth to twins, who will remain in Beauval.

"I lived through the reproduction process, which was a very important moment - the birth of the first baby panda in France," said Pouvreau. "It's very emotional, because you have to know that a panda baby is tiny when it's born — 100 to 140 grams."

Anaïs Maury, the zoo's marketing chief, said they were already in discussions to receive more pandas from China.

"In China, the panda is considered a national treasure, so entrusting it to another country is a great sign of confidence," she said.

"Chinese ambassadors come here for their first official visit, and every French president also comes to Beauval to see the pandas. It's a strong symbol of France-China relations."