Giant pandas greet their public

FRANCE'S newest tourist attractions, the two giant pandas Huan Huan and Yuan Zai at the Beauval Zoo near Tours, met their public for the first time at the weekend - and enjoyed a snack of bamboo.

The two three year olds arrived at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport on January 15 and have since been in quarantine at Beauval.

Newspaper 20 Minutes has released a video of the pandas as they greeted their public for the first time. You can view it here

On loan from the Chinese government for 10 years, they are expected to be a major money-spinner for the zoo which is a leader in conservation efforts.

Tourism specialist Didier Arino, of Protourisme, told Challenges business magazine the giant pandas would keep the zoo in the black by creating up to two million euros in revenue and up to €500,000 in extra profits.

Last year Beauval welcomed 600,000 visitors and zoo director Rodolphe Delord said they had spent €5m on preparing for the pandas' arrival.

Only five European zoos have giant pandas, including Edinburgh in the UK.

De Chengdu à Beauval, l’aventure de Huan Huan et... by 20Minutes

Photo: Zooparc de Beauval