Chinese pandas in new French zoo home

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CHENGDU, China, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Two panda bears named Yuanzai and Huanhuan have left China for France to inaugurate a 10-year cooperation in an international breeding program, officials said.

The panda pair from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding flew to France Sunday, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Chengdu staff prepared bamboo shoots and apples to ensure their safety and health during the flight on a FedEx Boeing 777.

Veterinarians from the Chengdu base and the Zoo Parc de Beauval in France cared for the pandas on the 11-hour flight.

The animals will be under quarantine and an adaptation period for a month at the zoo before meeting the French public, Xinhua reported.