America's first giant pandaIn 1936, the first giant panda infant to reach the U.S. alive, was brought back from an expedition in Tibet by Ruth Harkness, a young Manhattan socialite. A welcome diversion from the news of the Depression era, the lady and panda were a media sensation. The panda baby, named Su-Lin, appeared on the front page of the Chicago Tribune for nine consecutive days. Entrepreneurs sold toy pandas. Su-Lin was eventually acquired by Brookfield Zoo, Chicago. Shortly after their marriage, her husband, a wealthy adventurer, had left for China on an expedition to capture a panda (1934), but instead died there of throat cancer. Ruth left home to complete the quest on a remarkable adventure trekking through Tibet. (Su Lin died 1 Apr 1938.)«[Image: Ruth Harkness with Su Lin] |
