Finland’s Ähtäri Zoo to Return Giant Pandas to China Amid Financial Woes

Finnish Zoo to Return Giant Pandas to China Amid Financial Struggles

Ähtäri Zoo in Finland has announced plans to return two giant pandas to China earlier than expected due to mounting financial difficulties. The pandas, named Lumi and Pyry, were originally gifted to Finland in 2017 to commemorate the country’s centenary of independence and were scheduled to remain until 2033.

The decision comes as a result of several economic challenges faced by the zoo. Visitor numbers have significantly declined since the onset of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, while inflation and rising interest rates have further strained the institution’s finances. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also impacted tourism in the region, exacerbating the zoo’s financial woes.

The pandas arrived in Finland in January 2018 following a 15-year loan agreement finalized during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the country in April 2017. The arrangement included a preservation fee paid to China and the cost of importing bamboo from the Netherlands to feed the animals.

Ähtäri Zoo invested heavily in the pandas’ presence, spending approximately 1.5 million euros annually on their upkeep and constructing a special 8-million-euro Panda House annex to attract more visitors. Despite these efforts and support from the Chinese Embassy in Helsinki, the financial burden proved unsustainable.

The pandas’ early return marks a setback in the diplomatic gesture, as Finland was the first Nordic nation to receive giant pandas from China. The country has historically maintained strong ties with China, being among the first Western nations to establish political relations in 1950.

As part of the return process, Lumi and Pyry will enter a month-long quarantine in late October before being transported back to China. The early conclusion of this panda loan highlights the economic challenges faced by zoos and cultural institutions in the wake of global events and changing tourism patterns.