HELSINKI: Finland to Send Giant Pandas Back to China

In a surprising turn of events, Finland will be sending two beloved giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, back to China this November, well ahead of their originally planned 15-year stay. This decision comes as the Ahtari Zoo announces it can no longer bear the escalating costs associated with the pandas' upkeep, as revealed by Risto Sivonen, the zoo's board chair, to Reuters on September 24.

Background of the Pandas' Arrival

The pandas arrived in Finland in January 2018, shortly after a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which an agreement was launched to promote the conservation of this iconic species. However, the financial realities of maintaining these charming animals have proven more challenging than anticipated.

Cost of Maintaining the Pandas

The Ahtari Zoo, which is a private enterprise, invested over 8 million euros (approximately $8.92 million) in the facilities designed for Lumi and Pyry, alongside incurring annual costs of around 1.5 million euros. These expenses included a preservation fee to China. Despite hopes that the pandas would draw visitors to the central Finnish location, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly hindered tourism, leading the zoo to accrue substantial debt.

Rising Inflation and Its Impact

The situation has worsened due to rising inflation, which further inflated the costs of maintaining the pandas. Negotiations with the Chinese authorities to return the beloved animals spanned a lengthy three years, and Sivonen stated that the recent agreement was finally reached after careful deliberations.

Zoo's Decision Explained

“We hit a tipping point where the Chinese countered that it could indeed happen,” Sivonen explained, highlighting the practical nature of the decision. Notably, this move is strictly a business decision made by the zoo and does not reflect the Finnish government's involvement nor is it expected to negatively impact diplomatic relations between Finland and China, according to a spokesperson from Finland's foreign ministry.

Process of Returning the Pandas

The pandas will undergo a month's quarantine before they are transported back to their homeland, a standard measure to ensure their health and safety. While the comeback of Lumi and Pyry may signal the end of an era at Ahtari Zoo, their departure highlights ongoing challenges faced by zoos globally in caring for exotic animals, especially under difficult economic conditions.

Broader Implications

As international interest in conservation grows, this situation raises important discussions about sustainable practices in animal welfare and the complicated financial dynamics of maintaining international animal exchanges. The Chinese embassy in Helsinki has yet to respond to requests for additional comments regarding the return of the pandas.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!