The Beauval ZooParc will welcome a new species never before seen in Europe

ANIMALS – They are as cute as they are rare. Three “national treasures” from China will soon arrive at Parc de Beauval. In spring 2025, the famous French Zoo located in Loire-et-Cher will welcome into its enclosures three little golden monkeys, two females and one male. This will be a great first for a park located outside of Asia, and it will therefore be the only opportunity to see it in Europe.

“It’s a huge honor. The Chinese government entrusts us with an incredible species, a national treasure »rejoiced Rodolphe Delord, the general director of the park located in Saint-Aignan, announcing this arrival to AFP. “After the arrival of the pandas in 2012, we will once again experience a historic moment in Beauval! ».

The golden monkeys, with the scientific name of Roxellane rhinopithecines, are recognizable by their very long red coat and their bluish face with a small raised nose, as you can see in the photo below.

They will be entrusted by China to the ZooParc as part of a conservation and research program around the species. The signing of the agreement between the ZooParc de Beauval and the CWCA (China Wildlife Conservation Association) took place this Wednesday at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park, where the animals come from.

A mission for the survival of this “endangered” species

“This is a first which illustrates the key role of Beauval in the preservation of threatened species”added Rodolphe Delord. The golden monkey is indeed a classified species « a danger » on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list. “We hope to have babies quickly who can return to China for reintroduction into the natural environment”assured the park director.

The arrival of the three little monkeys has been planned for several weeks. A stay of French caretakers in Shanghai for several weeks is notably planned, so that the monkeys get used to their future veterinarians. Chinese keepers will also accompany the animals on their trip to France next year.

Once arrived at the Beauval Zoo, they will be placed in a “brand new Chinatown”located right next to the giant pandas, in “a very tall and air-conditioned structure”notably decorated with Chinese decoration. This new location should allow them to resist the heat: this species native to the Chinese mountains is used to harsh winters. “They are the only known primates, apart from humans, to move on their two hind legs when it snows”specified the ZooParc in a press release sent to the press.

A signal from diplomatic relations with China

According to Roldophe Delord, this future welcome “marks a decisive step in Franco-Chinese relations” for conservation and research. “Together, we are acting to protect this unique species and raise awareness around the world of its incredible beauty and fragility. »

This signing, which comes as France and China celebrate this year the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, is not a first for Beauval.

The giant pandas Yuan Zi and Huan Huan, on loan since 2012 from the Chinese government, have become one of the main attractions of the zoo, the only place in France where it is possible to admire this species. Their stay was even recently extended until 2027.

The two pandas, who were able to give birth to three babies in France, have gradually become real diplomatic issues between the two countries, regular signs of a real “panda diplomacy”.

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