Finland to Return Giant Pandas Lumi and Pyry to China Early
In a surprising turn of events, Ahtari Zoo in Finland has announced the early return of two giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, to China. Originally brought to Finland in January 2018 under a 15-year agreement, the pandas are set to be sent back in November due to rising maintenance costs and financial difficulties faced by the zoo. The decision comes after three years of negotiations and reflects the zoo's struggle to sustain the high expenses associated with their care amidst inflation and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Financial Strain Forces Decision
Ahtari Zoo has invested over €8 million (approximately $9 million) in the panda facilities, with annual maintenance costs reaching €1.5 million. The zoo had hoped the pandas would attract a significant number of visitors to offset these costs, but the pandemic severely hindered tourism, leading to increased debts. Despite requests for government funding, the Finnish government declined to assist the zoo financially, prompting the board to make the difficult decision to return the beloved animals.
No Impact on Finland-China Relations
The return of Lumi and Pyry is a private business decision made by Ahtari Zoo and is not expected to affect diplomatic relations between Finland and China. A spokesman from the Finnish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the decision was independent of government involvement. The Chinese embassy in Helsinki also stated that both nations reached a joint conclusion after friendly discussions regarding the pandas' return. Historically, China has sent pandas to various countries to strengthen diplomatic ties, and the return of these animals is part of that ongoing relationship.
