Ruth's determination in completing her late husband's mission to capture a live panda symbolizes resilience and courage.
Ruth's selling of the panda to a zoo signifies a shift towards prioritizing animal welfare and ethical treatment in captivity.
Deep dives
Ruth Harkness' Journey to China
Ruth, an American woman, finds herself propelled into an unexpected adventure in China. Following her husband's death, she sets out to complete his mission of capturing a live panda, embarking on a daring expedition with a young guide named Quinton Young. Despite personal grief and uncertainties, Ruth's determination leads her to discover a baby panda, fulfilling a dream that transcends her own loss and propels her forward.
The Return to America with Sulin
Upon successfully acquiring a panda cub named Sulin, Ruth garners attention and admiration back in America. While facing challenges in caring for Sulin, Ruth ultimately decides to sell the panda to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Sulin becomes a beloved attraction, symbolizing Ruth's unique journey and the evolving perceptions of animal welfare and captivity during that time.
Ruth's Legacy through Animal Conservation
Ruth's groundbreaking expedition and the public's affection for Sulin mark a pivotal shift in zoological practices. Ruth's efforts lead to a transformation in how animals are exhibited, emphasizing their well-being and individuality. Her story highlights the impact one individual's passion and determination can have on reshaping attitudes towards wildlife, fostering a new era of conservation and ethical treatment of animals in captivity.
The Memory Palace is a member of Radiotopia from PRX.
This episode was originally released in July of 2016. It’s being re-released today because Nate’s on book leave for the summer and because it’s a total banger.
Notes and Reading:
* I came to this story the old fashioned way (for me): I saw Su Lin at the Field Museum and needed to know more. That led me inevitably to Vicki Croke's The Lady and the Panda from 2006. It's a terrific read. If you have any interest at all in learning more about Ruth Harkness, that's the place to go. I've got a few quibbles here and there, but, for real, it's delightful.
* Quentin Young's (slightly strange and contested) version of events is told in Chasing the Panda by Michael Kiefer.
* If you've got a few hundred bucks (or a library with more liberal lending policies with old books than mine), why not read Ruth's own book, The Baby Giant Panda?
* If you're interested in zoos writ large, I'm a fan of Animal Attractions: Nature on Display in American Zoos by Elizabeth Hansen.