Poging GOUD - Vrij
Pandas fly home after kidney failure diagnosis
Saturday Star
|November 29, 2025
TWO giant pandas were flying home from France to China for retirement on Tuesday, after the female was diagnosed with kidney failure, with a Chinese official pledging new bears would soon replace them.
-
Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at the Beauval Zoo in central France in 2012 as part of China’s “panda diplomacy” programme, which sees the black-and-white bears dispatched across the globe as soft-power ambassadors.
The two pandas, both 17, were meant to stay in France until January 2027, but they left on a plane on Tuesday to live out their retirement at China’s Chengdu panda sanctuary.
The pair were loaded onto a plane at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport, each in their own box dotted with ventilation holes, with the words “Bon voyage” inscribed on the side.
Before they departed, a Chinese embassy official promised new bears would soon be dispatched to make up for the popular pair leaving.
“Rest assured, French friends, new giant pandas will arrive in the future,” said Chinese embassy official Chen Dong.
Dit verhaal komt uit de November 29, 2025-editie van Saturday Star.
Abonneer u op Magzter GOLD voor toegang tot duizenden zorgvuldig samengestelde premiumverhalen en meer dan 9000 tijdschriften en kranten.
Bent u al abonnee? Aanmelden
MEER VERHALEN VAN Saturday Star
Saturday Star
Back-to-school budgeting: parents share smart strategies to tackle rising costs
FOR many South African parents, the start of a new school year is a mix of excitement and financial stress.
3 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Military force in Iran will backfire for Washington
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump is weighing military action in Iran over the state’s crackdown on protesters.
4 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Women Sevens brace for contrasting Pool A tests at Dubai SVNS 3
THE Springbok Women’s Sevens will not only have to cope with the pressure of trying to overcome the next hurdle on their mission to regain their core status on the world series, but with three group opponents with different playing styles and strengths in the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai this weekend.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Impact of SA‘s new tax structure on anti-money laundering efforts
TAXATION issues are a familiar case for SAs.
3 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Nizamiye Schools achieve 100% matric pass rate
NIZAMIYE Schools have recorded a 100% matric pass rate in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations, alongside high Bachelor pass rates, including several cohorts in which all learners qualified for Bachelor admission.
1 min
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Tips for a healthy start
IN a world dominated by technology and ever-increasing pressure, it’s easy to get carried away by workplace demands at the expense of most other things in our lives — especially our health.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Khumalo refutes state capture claims
CRIME Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo yesterday dismissed a suggestion that he was involved in a project of state capture when he was arrested last year with six of his colleagues over the appointment of an official in his division.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
A toast to connection, not excess
The city of Durban on the east coast of South Africa has a great slogan over this holiday season: ‘Durban - the warmest place to be’.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Cultural event promises music, art, community experience
CAPE Town is set to host a significant cultural gathering as Sheer City launches its inaugural edition on Saturday, 17-18 January 2026.
2 mins
January 17, 2026
Saturday Star
Thousands of top students locked out of universities
THE euphoria following one of the country’s best-ever matric pass rates has been tempered by the harsh reality that high marks do not guarantee a place at university.
3 mins
January 17, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size