If you love Politics and Zoos like me you probably love Panda Diplomacy, It might be bad for zoos' futures but it's really interesting so I was curious what Zoos use to have Pandas (since it's easy to find what zoos currently have them) If you could please attach a photo of there Exhibit (If possible) I would like to make a list of all Zoos to Displays these Monochromatic fluff balls Thank You!
Auckland Zoo Auckland Zoo exhibited Giant panda between October 1988 and January 1989. The two Giant panda were named Xiao Xiao (born 1984) and Fei Fei (born 1985). There’s videos covering their stay here: Back in the Day: Pandamania has come to NZ with the visit of Xiao Xiao and Fei Fei Back in the Day: Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Fei Fei get ready for Christmas Source: Giant Panda on exhibit 1988 - ZooChat Taronga and Melbourne Zoo Xiao Xiao and Fei Fei had previously completed a tour of Australia. They stayed at Melbourne Zoo from March 1988 to July 1988; and Taronga Zoo from July 1988 to October 1988. Neither zoo had held this species before; or again since (Adelaide Zoo is the only current holder in the region). Xiao Xiao was transferred to a number of facilities (including Wolong in 1991 for two years), before being sent to the Jinan Zoo in September 1994. Fei Fei sadly died in December 1989 at the Baishuijiang Nature Reserve, 11 months after her return to China.
Without using too much money whilst still gaining a large amount of Money, I'll use beekse Bergen as an example they had pandas for 4 months which cost them 250 000 fl., Which drew over 100 000 People so they lost 250 000 fl. gained 5 200 000 fl. with a profit of 4 950 000 fl., so an all around success (fl. is the symbol for Netherlands old Currency, the Guilder)
Brookfield, in fact it was one of the first American zoos to ever have one. Now it’s just a relic of the past acknowledged in fliers.
The giant panda "Su-Lin" was the first living giant panda to be seen outside China; Mrs. Ruth Harness brought him to America in December 1936. He was acquired by Brookfield Zoo in February 1937 and, sadly, died the following year.
So is Su-lin the only panda in a public display not maintained by Panda Diplomacy? Also found a image
I believe Su-Lin can still be seen over at the Field Museum in Chicago where he was taxidermied following his death
The Cincinnati Zoo hosted Cha Chia in 1988 following his stay in London and before he moved on to Mexico
No, surely the same could be said for the other early zoo giant pandas e.g. the ones in St. Louis, New York and London.
I don't share your love for "panda diplomacy" or "pandanomics" but I agree that is an interesting phenomenon. So in Mexico there have been quite a few pandas which I will post about in another comment as it is quite an extensive history. Today there is now just a single elderly individual left, a female called "Shuan-Shuan" (born 1987) who at 34 years old is currently the oldest giant panda outside of China. Her companion "Xin-Xin", also a female (born in 1990) passed away in 2020. Here is a picture of the late "Xin-Xin": Here is a picture of "Shuan-Shuan": Both of these pandas were conceived through extensive efforts by the zoo veterinary team with artificial insemination. The father of "Xin-Xin" was "Chia-Chia" who had been sent from the London zoo and the mother was "Tohui" a very notable animal considering that she was the second giant panda born in captivity outside of China. The father of "Shuan-Shuan" was "Pe-Pe" and her mother was "Ying-Ying" and both of these pandas were the first of their species to arrive in Mexico in 1975. Here are some photos of their enclosures which are / were adequate for such elderly animals and I should also mention that there are also several other enclosures for the pandas behind the scenes: Photo credits to @carlos55, @Talli and @Giant Eland.
I It is quite a two-sided Phenomenon, You either hate it or love it,The Individuals in Mexico were they held at Chapultec? Do you have a photo of the Exhibit?
Yep, fully aware of how polemical it is. I don't really need to mention more on my stance on the subject as needless to say I don't like pandanomics or the panda obsession in zoos (though the species itself is quite fascinating). I've included some photos from the gallery in my post above.
It was to celebrate Australia’s bicentennial year (1988). The pandas were supposed to visit just Taronga and Melbourne Zoo, but the director of Auckland Zoo seized the opportunity and asked if Auckland could be tagged on the end of their tour. It was the first time Giant pandas had come to New Zealand; and due to the prohibitive costs, none of New Zealand’s zoos currently have any interest in holding this species. The visit was short, but neither panda was of breeding age, and it raised a lot of money for conservation (as well as increasing visitation).
Promotional Book: Melbourne Zoo: Photo Source: 400568: Melbourne Victoria Zoo Giant Pandas Bicentenniel display from China Taronga Zoo: Photo Source: 100 years of Sydney's Taronga zoo – in pictures Photo Source: @Jet Photo Source: @doctorkay
The first giant pandas to have arrived in Mexico were a male called "Pe-Pe" ( 1974-1988) and a female called "Ying-Ying" (1974-1989). The politics of how these animals arrived in Mexico is quite complicated to explain but it basically came down to a gesture of political / diplomatic gratitude from China because Mexico had been the first North American and Latin American country to establish relations with China. This was also a period in which China was opening up to the world with a thaw in the coldwar, the Sino-Soviet split and a country that was moving away from an aggressive Maoist stance on the world and seeking warmer diplomatic relations with countries abroad. Mexico on the other hand was a country that excelled in diplomacy during this period and was notably (and commendably IMO) quick to establish and maintain diplomatic relations even with countries that were maligned by the United States (for example Cuba throughout the cold war). The first panda birth was in 1980 a female named "Xen-Li " who was notable due to being the first panda born in captivity outside of China but this animal unfortunately died that same year. However, a year later in 1981 there was another birth of a female called "Tohui" ( 1981-1993 ) who was later to sire "Xin-Xin" with "Chia-Chia" (1972-1991) a male panda that had been sent to Mexico from London. Here is a vintage news report from 1975 of the first successful birth of a giant panda at Chapultepec, the female "Tohui": In 1983 another panda was born but this time it was a little male who was christened "Liang-Liang" (1983-1999). In subsequent years this was followed by another female in 1985 "Xiu-Hua" (1985- 2013) and twins, a male in 1987 "Ping-Ping" (1987-1987) which sadly died as an infant and his sister "Shua-Shua"(1987 to the present) who is now the last surviving Chapultepec Panda. Here is a shot of signage from the zoo detailing the family tree of the Chapultepec pandas: Here is a shot of the late "Xin-Hua" in life : Here is the taxidermy specimen of "Liang-Liang" the only surviving male panda born at Chapultepec which is on display at the nearby Natural History Museum in Mexico City: The taxidermy specimens of the original founding pair of pandas "Pe-Pe" and "Ying-Ying" are also kept on display to the public at the zoo. All of the pandas kept by the zoo were / are very significant, symbolic and popular animals with the public and as such they were all very spoilt and exceptionally well cared for and the last survivor "Shua-Shua" continues to be. Sources: "La diplomacia panda y el caso de México", Carlos Cerda Dueñas, 2007 (Journal: Méx.cuenca pac). Photo credits to @carlos55.
Chia chia had a complicated history. His time in London with Ching Ching is well documented. But when Ching Ching died in 1985 Chia chia was alone. The Cincinnati Zoo's director was determined to bring a Giant panda to Cincinnati and, with Chinese import out of the question, he advocated for bringing Chia chia from London. At this time panda diplomacy was much criticized and using the animals to boost attendance was seen as inappropriate. Cincinnati committed to using any extra proceeds from Chia chia's visit towards the construction of improved Giant panda facilities at the Chapultepec Zoo. IMO he was a terrible exhibit animal. Cincinnati built an indoor and outdoor facility for him and he would only venture outside early in the morning. By the time the zoo opened each day he had returned inside. Some background: London Zoo panda to get Mexican bride National Archives: Thatcher refused to share flight with panda Panda ends three-month stay at Cincinnati Zoo
