THE HOSTING OF two giant pandas in Dublin Zoo from China all of 39 years ago prompted plenty of delight until one of them met a tragic end. 

Ming Ming and Ping Ping spent 100 days in Dublin Zoo in mid-1986 following months of coordination between Irish and Chinese authorities.

At the time, Ping Ping was a seven-year-old male and Ming Ming was a six-and-a-half year-old female. An RTÉ report from the time noted that there were only 1,000 pandas left in China and the transfer to Dublin Zoo was the only one of its kind that year. 

Their presence proved a major attraction, with estimates suggesting roughly 400,000 people visited Dublin Zoo during the pandas’ stay.

State Papers released to National Archives contain reports of their stay and a minor dispute over whether the pandas should go on national television. 

The pandas’ visit to Dublin Zoo was launched to the public on 16 June 1986 by then tánaiste Dick Spring.

Contemporary media accounts of event recalled that apes at the zoo began shouting during his speech, prompting Labour leader Spring to quip that they were “probably Fianna Fáil supporters”.

While the visit ran smoothly overall, officials did consider a potential appearance on The Late Late Show. 

Correspondence exchanged in September 1986 between Dublin Zoo and the Department of Foreign Affairs discussed extending the pandas’ insurance to cover a trip by one of the animals to Montrose.

The suggestion met resistance from Chinese authorities, who expressed “considerable reluctance” before the idea was abandoned. 
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According to the records, they cautioned that “brightly lit and hot television studios are not the most favourable panda environment” and questioned why a video tape filmed at the zoo could not be broadcast instead. 

One document confirmed that “the director fully understands the concerns expressed by the Chinese authorities and plans for the Late Late Show appearance have been dropped”.

Success

At the time, the visit was regarded as a resounding success.

Speaking at a closing ceremony on 20 September 1986, the then tourism minister Liam Kavanagh said the pandas’ stay “has been a major boost to both the Zoo and the Irish public”.

Kavanagh described the visit as “a significant coup” and among the most notable events in the zoo’s 156-year history.

He also reassured attendees about the animals’ wellbeing, noting: “By all accounts, the two pandas settled in very well here during their 100 days and they appear to be in good shape for their return journey tomorrow.”

However, documents released later reveal a sombre conclusion. In August 1988, nearly two years after the pandas had left Ireland, Irish officials learned that Ping Ping, the male panda, had died following his return to Chengdu.

A Department of Foreign Affairs document dated 17 August , 1988 recorded that Dublin Zoo staff had become aware of the death and were troubled by reports suggesting a possible link to the panda’s time in Ireland.

“They have read a report that he is dead and that there is a suggestion that his death was a consequence of visit here. They are somewhat distressed and have asked if [the] embassy could obtain a copy of the post-mortem report and forward it to them via DFA”.

Further notes indicate that departmental officials were seeking additional information on the circumstances surrounding Ping Ping’s death in the days that followed.