Finland Zoo to Return Pandas to China

Ähtäri Zoo in Finland will return two giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, to China in November, eight years ahead of schedule due to financial difficulties. The zoo, which has invested over 8 million euros in panda facilities and faces annual upkeep costs of 1.5 million euros, has been struggling with debts exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation. Despite hopes that the pandas would attract visitors, the zoo's financial situation worsened, leading to rejected pleas for state funding. The decision to return the pandas, which were part of a 15-year research and species preservation agreement, was made after three years of negotiation with China. The return is not expected to affect Finland-China relations, as it was a business decision by the zoo. The pandas will undergo a month-long quarantine before their departure.