The Wild with Chris Morgan How the quest for the giant panda changed modern conservation
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Jan 20, 2026 
Join Dr. Nathalia Holt, a biologist and bestselling author, as she shares riveting tales from her book, *The Beast in the Clouds*. Discover how two Roosevelt brothers embarked on a treacherous expedition to find the elusive giant panda, an adventure fraught with bandit attacks and harsh conditions. Holt discusses how their quest not only led to the panda’s discovery but also ignited the modern conservation movement. From early misunderstandings to the complex realities of protecting pandas today, this story weaves science, history, and moral responsibilities.
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Roosevelt Brothers' Panda Quest
- Kermit and Theodore Roosevelt Jr. set out in 1928 to find the mysterious giant panda after a pelt caused a sensation in 1919.
- Their expedition surprised many by actually finding and killing a panda, which later filled them with immediate regret.
Panda Was A Scientific Mystery
- The giant panda was the last large mammal unknown to Western science and remained mysterious even within parts of China due to its remote high-elevation habitat.
- Its rarity and restricted bamboo-forest range made it especially difficult for scientists to study before modern exploration.
Perils On The Himalayan Trail
- The Roosevelts faced bandits, altitude sickness and blizzards while crossing Himalayan passes, losing mules and supplies along the way.
- They survived thanks to local guides and Tibetan monks who fed and cared for them, patching jackets with their yellow robes.
