Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys from China Make Stunning European Debut at French Zoo
Rare Chinese golden snub-nosed monkeys make their European debut at a French zoo, drawing crowds and conservation interest.
In a landmark event for European wildlife conservation, three golden snub-nosed monkeys from China made their highly anticipated public debut at the Beauval Zoo in central France on Wednesday. This marks the first time the endangered species has ever traveled outside of Asia, signaling a new chapter in international cooperation on animal protection.
The trio—comprised of one male and two females—arrived from Shanghai Wild Animal Park in early April, accompanied by an expert caretaker from China to ensure their smooth acclimation. After completing a mandatory month-long quarantine, they were introduced to visitors, quickly drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse of these rare primates.
The transfer is part of a decade-long partnership between Beauval Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, designed to foster collaborative efforts in the field of endangered species research and preservation. Officials from both France and China attended a special welcoming ceremony, underscoring the significance of this bilateral initiative.
During the event, Beauval Zoo director Rodolphe Delord revealed the names selected for the new arrivals: Jindou (meaning "golden seed"), Jinbao ("golden treasure"), and Jinhua ("golden flower"). The names emerged from a popular online contest held by the zoo earlier in the year, reflecting widespread public enthusiasm for the new residents.
“Like the giant pandas before them, the arrival of these primates strengthens the ties between France and China in the field of animal conservation,” Delord remarked at the unveiling. He also expressed hope that successful breeding could lead to baby golden snub-nosed monkeys, which may one day return to their native Chinese habitats to bolster wild populations.
Beauval Zoo is no stranger to international wildlife collaboration. In 2012, it became home to giant pandas Huan Huan and Yuan Zai, launching a successful joint breeding program with Chinese experts. With the addition of the golden snub-nosed monkeys, the facility has now become the first venue outside Asia to care for this endangered species.
Renowned for their vivid golden coats and unique upturned noses, golden snub-nosed monkeys are native to the high-altitude forests of central and southwest China. They are classified as a national treasure in China and receive the highest level of state protection, due to their dwindling numbers caused by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Visitors to the zoo were seen eagerly photographing the monkeys as they explored their specially designed enclosure, marking not just a significant achievement for Beauval but also setting a new precedent for future international wildlife conservation initiatives.
