Finland to return pandas to China early due to cost
A zoo in Finland will return two giant pandas to China eight years ahead of schedule, citing financial difficulties in maintaining their care.
Lumi and Pyry arrived in Finland in 2018 after the two countries signed an agreement aimed at protecting the species.
Originally intended to remain in the Nordic nation for 15 years, the pandas will be sent back in November, with Ähtäri Zoo attributing the decision to rising inflation and debt resulting from the Covid pandemic.
The zoo revealed it spent €1.5 million (£1.2 million) annually on the pandas’ care, in addition to over €8 million on their enclosure.
According to Mahrko Haekosky, curator at Ähtäri Zoo, the €1.5 million upkeep was “far more than all other species combined,” covering the cost of a full-time keeper, a preservation fee to China, and imported bamboo.
“It’s financially beneficial for the zoo because they were so expensive,” Haekosky noted, “but it’s unfortunate, as the pandas had been thriving here.”
“They’re really nice to work with.”
Another factor in the decision to return the pandas was the Finnish government rejecting pleas for state funding last year.
“They thought the pandas would bring more visitors, and that it was a good investment – turns out it wasn’t so”, said Mr Haekosky.
The zoo revealed last year that it was discussing their return.
Lumi and Pyry will soon go into a month-long quarantine before they are shipped back to China.
A spokesperson for Finland’s foreign ministry said the pandas’ return was a business decision that did not involve the government, and that it should not impact relations between Finland and China.
Finland’s Chinese embassy, meanwhile, told the Reuters news agency that while efforts had been made to try and help the zoo, a joint decision was eventually made to send the animals back.
China sends pandas to foreign zoos to strengthen its trading ties, relationships and image abroad – termed ‘panda diplomacy’.
