rki.news | Source: Xinhua
BRUSSELS, July 24: Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium has officially named two female golden snub-nosed monkeys, born 100 days ago, as Zhenzhen and Xi Le, marking a milestone in wildlife conservation cooperation with China.
The names were selected through an online public vote that attracted more than 8,600 participants. According to the zoo, Zhenzhen symbolizes gentleness, beauty and preciousness, while Xi Le represents joy and happiness.
Pairi Daiza founder and chairman Eric Domb praised the Chinese tradition of celebrating a baby’s first 100 days, calling it an expression of respect and care for life. He said the names reflect China’s cultural heritage and help introduce Chinese traditions to European audiences.
Domb appreciated China’s long-term wildlife conservation efforts and expressed hope that the birth of the monkeys would further strengthen cooperation between Belgium and China.
The twins are the first golden snub-nosed monkeys bred at Pairi Daiza under a 10-year conservation partnership launched in 2025 between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Belgian zoo. The programme focuses on breeding, research and sharing expertise in animal care and conservation.