A casualty of Cold War tensions, Chi Chi was a Chinese panda on her way to an American zoo in 1958 when she ran afoul of a U.S. trade embargo of communist China. Michael Rougier photographed her while she was stranded in Frankfurt, forced to get by on wheat instead of her preferred bamboo leaves while her owner tried in vain to get a waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department. Ultimately, she found a home at the London Zoo, where she was one of the most popular attractions until her death in 1972. Fun fact: Chi Chi was also the inspiration for the panda drawing made famous as the World Wildlife Fund logo. (see more — LIFE at 75: Best Animal Photos)

A casualty of Cold War tensions, Chi Chi was a Chinese panda on her way to an American zoo in 1958 when she ran afoul of a U.S. trade embargo of communist China. Michael Rougier photographed her while she was stranded in Frankfurt, forced to get by on wheat instead of her preferred bamboo leaves while her owner tried in vain to get a waiver from the U.S. Treasury Department. Ultimately, she found a home at the London Zoo, where she was one of the most popular attractions until her death in 1972.

Fun fact: Chi Chi was also the inspiration for the panda drawing made famous as the World Wildlife Fund logo.

(see more — LIFE at 75: Best Animal Photos)

Notes

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    MAUREEN. CHI CHI.
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