Giant pandas are among the most famous animals in the world today. You might recognize them from the logo of a global conservation group or as a symbol of China. There are even restaurants themed around pandas! But did you know that there might be more of these restaurants than actual pandas living in the wild?
At the start of the 20th century, not many people outside China knew about pandas. The first pandas to arrive in the United States were brought over in 1929 during an expedition. However, it was a woman named Ruth Harkness and a panda called Su Lin who really sparked the world’s interest in these amazing creatures.
Ruth Harkness was not your typical explorer. Born in 1900, she moved to New York to work in fashion. She loved adventure and travel, which led her to marry Bill Harkness, a wealthy Harvard graduate. In 1930, Bill went to China to find a panda, which was a popular quest for rich young Americans at the time. Sadly, Bill fell ill and passed away from throat cancer before he could complete his mission.
After Bill’s death, Ruth traveled to Shanghai to collect his ashes. She decided to continue his quest to find a panda, using the expedition gear Bill had already bought. In 1936, she arrived in Shanghai and met Quentin Young, a local student with experience in leading expeditions. Together with a team of porters, they set off on a challenging journey to find a panda.
After about six weeks of traveling, Ruth and her team set up camp in a bamboo forest. Surprisingly, they found a tiny baby panda weighing just three pounds in a hollow tree within a week. They named the panda Su Lin and decided to bring it back to the United States alive, something no one had done before.
Back in Shanghai, Ruth faced challenges with permits for Su Lin. She cleverly listed Su Lin as “one dog” on her export papers to get him on a ship to the United States. Once in San Francisco, Ruth’s story captivated the public, and she became a media sensation.
Su Lin lived at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, attracting many visitors. Sadly, Su Lin passed away after two years. Interestingly, it was later discovered that Su Lin was actually male, which explained why he didn’t breed with another panda Ruth brought back.
Ruth’s later trips to China led to a high demand for pandas, resulting in many being captured for zoos. While some pandas made it to zoos, others were harmed. Ruth felt guilty about this, as her goal was to share China’s amazing wildlife with the world.
Today, pandas are a major focus of conservation efforts. They receive a lot of financial and public support, raising questions about the ethics of conservation funding. China loans pandas to zoos for large fees, and having a panda can bring in a lot of money for zoos and local communities.
Ruth Harkness’s adventurous spirit and her role in bringing pandas to the world’s attention remind us of our ongoing fascination with these incredible animals. Next time you see a panda at the zoo, think of Ruth and her amazing journey.
Research the key events in the history of pandas and Ruth Harkness’s journey. Create a timeline that includes important dates, such as when Ruth found Su Lin and when Su Lin arrived in America. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
In groups, reenact Ruth Harkness’s expedition to find Su Lin. Assign roles such as Ruth, Quentin Young, and the porters. Use props to simulate the journey through the bamboo forest and the discovery of Su Lin. Discuss the challenges Ruth faced and how she overcame them.
Create a poster that highlights the importance of panda conservation. Include facts about pandas, their habitat, and the efforts being made to protect them. Use creative designs and slogans to raise awareness and encourage others to support panda conservation.
Imagine you are Ruth Harkness during her expedition in China. Write a diary entry describing your feelings, challenges, and the excitement of finding Su Lin. Reflect on the impact of your journey and your hopes for the future of pandas.
Participate in a class debate about the ethics of panda conservation funding. Discuss whether the financial resources allocated to pandas are justified or if they should be distributed to other endangered species. Consider the cultural and economic impacts of pandas in zoos worldwide.
Today, the giant panda is one of the most recognizable animals on the planet. It graces the logo of an international conservation group, serves as the unofficial mascot for China, and even inspires a chain of restaurants that feature panda-themed dishes. In fact, there may be more of these restaurants than actual pandas left in the wild, but I digress.
It wasn’t always this way. At the beginning of the 20th century, few people outside of China knew much about these animals. Some of the first pandas brought to the United States were captured during an expedition in 1929. Although these pandas received notable media attention, it was actually one woman and one panda who can be credited for a global surge of interest in these elusive creatures: Ruth Harkness and the panda, Su Lin.
Ruth was not the typical explorer of her time. Born in 1900, she moved to New York in her early 20s to pursue a career in fashion. She had a passion for travel and adventure, which led her to fall in love with Bill Harkness, a Harvard graduate with a small fortune. In 1930, Bill set off to China to find a panda, as was the trend for young wealthy American men at the time. Unfortunately, things did not go well for him. After arriving in Shanghai and hiring an animal collector named Floyd T. Smith, Bill became ill and ultimately passed away from throat cancer while waiting for collecting permits.
Upon hearing the news, Ruth decided to travel to Shanghai to collect her husband’s ashes. Understanding that Bill had already invested a significant amount of money into expedition gear, she resolved to continue his mission. In 1936, she arrived in Shanghai, where she encountered Bill’s friends and Floyd Smith, who hoped to assist her. However, Ruth grew suspicious of Smith’s intentions and decided to work with a local student, Quentin Young, who had valuable experience from leading previous expeditions.
Ruth, Quentin, and a team of local porters embarked on a challenging journey to find a panda. After about six weeks of travel, they set up base camp in a bamboo forest. Surprisingly, it took only a week for them to find a three-pound baby panda in a hollow tree. They named it Su Lin and aimed to bring it back alive, a feat that had never been attempted before.
Upon returning to Shanghai, Ruth faced bureaucratic challenges regarding permits for Su Lin. After navigating these obstacles, she managed to board a ship to the United States, listing Su Lin as “one dog” on her export papers. Once in San Francisco, Ruth’s story captured the public’s attention, and she became a media sensation.
Despite her success, Ruth faced rivalry from Floyd Smith, who attempted to undermine her in the press. Su Lin eventually lived at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, drawing large crowds but sadly passed away after two years. In a surprising twist, it was discovered that Su Lin, long believed to be female, was actually male, which explained why he did not successfully breed with another panda Ruth brought back.
Ruth’s later expeditions to China were marked by the growing demand for pandas, leading to a troubling trend of capturing pandas for export. While many pandas made it to zoos, many others were harmed in the process. Ruth felt guilty about the unintended consequences of her actions, as her original intention was to introduce the wonders of China’s biodiversity to the West.
Today, the interest in pandas and their conservation is stronger than ever. Pandas receive significant financial and public support, leading to discussions about the ethics of conservation funding. China loans its pandas to zoos for substantial fees, and having a panda can generate significant revenue for facilities and local economies.
As we reflect on Ruth’s adventurous spirit and her role in bringing pandas to the forefront of conservation efforts, we are reminded of the ongoing fascination with these remarkable animals. The next time you see a panda in a zoo, think of Ruth and her incredible journey.
Pandas – A species of bear native to China, known for their distinctive black and white fur and diet primarily consisting of bamboo. – Pandas are often seen as a symbol of wildlife conservation efforts due to their endangered status.
Ruth – A name often associated with historical figures, such as Ruth Harkness, who played a significant role in bringing the first live giant panda to America. – Ruth Harkness’s expedition to China in the 1930s was groundbreaking for wildlife conservation.
Harkness – The surname of Ruth Harkness, an American socialite and explorer known for her efforts in panda conservation. – Harkness’s journey to China marked a significant moment in the history of zoos and wildlife preservation.
China – A country in East Asia, known for its rich history and as the native habitat of the giant panda. – China has made significant efforts to protect its native wildlife, including the giant panda.
Expedition – A journey undertaken for a specific purpose, often related to exploration or research. – The expedition led by Ruth Harkness to China was crucial in bringing awareness to panda conservation.
Wildlife – Animals and plants that live and grow in natural conditions, not domesticated or cultivated. – Protecting wildlife is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources, including plants and animals. – Conservation efforts have helped increase the population of endangered species like the giant panda.
Zoo – A facility where animals are kept in enclosures for public viewing and education. – Zoos play a vital role in educating the public about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting endangered species.
Bamboo – A type of grass that is the primary food source for giant pandas. – Bamboo forests are crucial habitats for pandas, providing them with food and shelter.
America – A continent that includes North, Central, and South America; often refers to the United States, where the first live panda was brought by Ruth Harkness. – The arrival of the first panda in America sparked widespread interest in panda conservation.
