Visits to zoos by heads of state

[Tim May]

The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new elephant house at Whipsnade in 1997.

On 2nd June 1997 to be precise....

It is perhaps worth mentioning here that the Duke of Edinburgh was President of the Zoological Society of London from 1960 until 1977; in this role he would have regularly attended the ZSL AGM at London Zoo.

On 23rd October 1974 the Chinese Ambassador formally presented the giant pandas ‘Ching-Ching’ and ‘Chia-Chia’ to the Duke of Edinburgh, President of the Zoological Society.

Incidentally, after perusing through some copies of the ZSL Annuals reports, I can also add details of a couple of visits by foreign royalty that might be of interest to “zooman64”:-

• 3rd November 1971: King Gustav of Sweden visited Whipsnade
• 5th March 1977: King Hussein of Jordan and King Constatine visited London Zoo

Presumably a more extensive search (that I’ve not yet had time for) would provide details of other such visits.

 

[Tim May]

There is a well-known zoo postcard of the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret watching a young Giant Panda(+ alsatian dog) at ZSL. Others may be able to supply the exact date.

According to the book “Men and Pandas” (Desmond & Ramona Morris; 1966) this royal visit took place on 10th May 1939.

 

[Pertinax]

So which Panda would that have been- Ming?

 

[Gigit]

The Whitley Wildlife conservation Trust, which owns Paignton Zoo, also owns Slapton Ley Nature Reserve. In 'Chimps, Champs and Elephants', Jack Baker mentions a visit by the Queen to Slapton in 1980 when she planted a tree.

 

[Tim May]

According to the book “Men and Pandas” (Desmond & Ramona Morris; 1966) this royal visit took place on 10th May 1939.

So which Panda would that have been- Ming?

Five giant pandas arrived at London Zoo on Christmas Eve 1938. At the time of this royal visit, in May 1939, the ZSL still had three of these: “Ming”, “Sung” and “Tang”.

The animal depicted in the postcard is clearly a youngster so, yes I agree, it must be "Ming".

Of the original five giant pandas, the other two were:-

• “Grandma” who had died (and, incidentally, can still be seen mounted in the Leeds Museum)

• “Happy” who was in Germany and eventually ended up in St. Louis.

 

[Pertinax]

Five giant pandas arrived at London Zoo on Christmas Eve 1938.

This must have been the only importation of Giant Pandas that didn't involve just a pair or single.

 

[zooman64]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread so far. Please keep the suggestions and comments coming, they're all proving very useful.

 

[pipaluk]

Been to Whipsnade again today, Tiger Falls was opened by Prince Edward on 23/5/91

 

[Tim May]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread so far. Please keep the suggestions and comments coming, they're all proving very useful.

Whilst searching through some old ZSL Annual Reports (in connection with something completely different) I encountered details of some more visits that might be of interest to you:-

In 1953, the following all visited Whipsnade

The Prince of Liege (and there is a photograph of him taking a photo of a Whipsnade hippo)

Prince Akihito of Japan

The Omugabe of Ankole; he was presented with the first born Ankole bull from the Whipsnade herd (and there is a photograph of him with his bull)

Chieftans from the Gold Coast

In 1955, the following visited London Zoo

The Shah and Queen of Persia (and there is a photo of Queen Soraya in the Parrot House dated 21st February 1955)

The Sheik of Kuwait

In 1957, the following visited London Zoo

Princess Margaret on 19th December

Princess Anne on 26th May

 

[Tim Brown]

Now heres one for you...in late 1974[christmas] Guilsborough Grange Bird Park had the President of the Seychelles, James Mancham[now Sir James], to visit-as a 17 year old i gave him a tour myself and he offered me a job!He also gave me a tip that was bigger than i earned in a week.Beat that!