State Papers: Chinese panda's death linked to Ireland visit 

Loan of two giant pandas to Dublin Zoo almost 40 years ago sparked controversy when one of them died after returning home

Giant pandas Ming Ming and Ping Ping: Staff were 'somewhat distressed' at the implication that one of the panda's death was linked to its stay in Ireland.

The loan of two giant pandas to Dublin Zoo almost 40 years ago was hailed as a great success until one of the pandas died some time after returning home to China.

There were elements of panda-monium back among staff in Dublin Zoo after a report that suggested the death of the male panda two years later was a consequence of his visit to Ireland.

Confidential files released by the National Archives contain a telex between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish embassy in Beijing in August 1988, which showed officials had been contacted about the issue by Dublin Zoo.

A civil servant noted that staff at the zoo were “somewhat distressed” at the implication that the animal’s death was being linked to his stay in Ireland and had asked if the Irish embassy could obtain a copy of the postmortem report on the panda.

Other files show the Chinese authorities expressed “considerable reluctance” about a proposal to have the two pandas make a guest appearance on the Late Late Show on RTÉ during their visit to Ireland.

They reveal there was correspondence between Dublin Zoo and the Department of Foreign Affairs about the possibility of extending the insurance for the trip to cover the proposed visit to the RTÉ studios in Montrose.

However, Chinese officials noted that “brightly lit and hot television studios are not the most favourable panda environment.” They also questioned why a videotape recorded at the zoo could not be shown on RTÉ instead.

Ultimately, the idea to have the pandas appear with Late Late Show host Gay Byrne was dropped after the director of Dublin Zoo, Peter Wilson, said he understood the concerns expressed by the Chinese authorities.

Ming Ming and Ping Ping, who spent 100 days in the Zoological Gardens between June and September 1986, were hailed as the single largest attraction in the 156-year history of Dublin Zoo at the time.

It was estimated that over 450,000 visitors had attended the zoo during the visit of the pandas which meant 1986 was set to break the previous record of 600,000 annual visitors.

A condition of the visit was that Dublin Zoo would make a significant contribution to the Chinese Wildlife Preservation Fund estimated at $75,000 with the money subsequently being funded by sponsor, West Coast Cooler.

The visit of the pandas was also hailed by Dublin Zoo management for creating greater public awareness of the need for conservation and protection of wildlife and particularly endangered species.

At a closing ceremony to mark the departure of the pandas, the Minister for Tourism, Liam Kavanagh, observed that the two animals had settled in well and “appear to be in good shape for their return journey.” Irish officials were also asked by the China Wildlife Conservation Association to inform the director of Dublin Zoo that the pandas had arrived safely to Chengdu on September 22, 1986.

Following the visit, the Department of Foreign Affairs informed the Irish ambassador to China in October 1986 that Dublin Zoo was anxious that further loans would be arranged to build on the goodwill fostered by arranging the visit of the pandas.

The visit followed months of planning between Irish and Chinese officials, although correspondence showed there was confusion about the total costs involved and what the Irish side had agreed to pay.

Tánaiste Dick Spring launched the visit at an official ceremony on June 16, 1986 with media reports noting that the apes in Dublin Zoo started to shout as the Labour Party leader spoke, prompting him to observe that they were “probably Fianna Fáil supporters”.