Pandas Depart Finland Early as Zoo Struggles with Costs

The Ähtäri Zoo in Finland has announced that it will be returning two giant pandas to China, over eight years ahead of schedule. The decision comes as the zoo faces financial challenges, including declining visitor numbers and rising costs. The pandas, Lumi and Pyry, were a gift from China to mark Finland's 100th anniversary of independence in 2017, but the zoo has found the upkeep of the animals to be too expensive to maintain.

Pandas Depart Finland Early as Ähtäri Zoo Faces Financial Woes

Pandas Become Too Costly for Finnish Zoo

The Ähtäri Zoo in central Finland has made the difficult decision to return two giant pandas to China, over eight years before the end of their scheduled loan period. The pandas, Lumi and Pyry, were gifted to Finland by China in 2017 to mark the Nordic nation's 100th anniversary of independence. However, the zoo has found the cost of maintaining the pandas to be too high, with the annual upkeep, including a preservation fee to China, amounting to around 1.5 million euros.The zoo has faced a number of challenges in recent years, including a decline in visitor numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, the zoo has had to contend with rising inflation and interest rates, further straining its financial resources.

Panda Diplomacy Comes to an Early End

The decision to return the pandas to China is a significant blow to the zoo's panda diplomacy efforts. The loan agreement between Finland and China was initially set to last until 2033, but the Ähtäri Zoo has now agreed with Chinese authorities to repatriate the animals much earlier than planned.The pandas' arrival in Finland in 2018 was a major event, with the Ähtäri Zoo building a special Panda House annex at a cost of 8 million euros in the hopes of attracting more visitors to the remote nature reserve. However, the zoo's efforts to capitalize on the pandas' presence have ultimately fallen short, as the financial burden of maintaining the animals has proven too great.

China Attempts to Assist Ähtäri Zoo

In an effort to help the Ähtäri Zoo overcome its financial difficulties, the Chinese Embassy in Helsinki has reportedly urged Chinese companies operating in Finland to make donations to the facility and support its debt arrangements. However, these efforts have not been enough to offset the zoo's declining visitor numbers and the broader economic challenges it has faced.The premature return of the pandas to China is a significant setback for the Ähtäri Zoo, which had hoped to showcase the animals as a symbol of its commitment to conservation and international cooperation. The zoo's decision to repatriate the pandas is a stark reminder of the financial realities that zoos and other wildlife institutions must navigate, even when faced with high-profile partnerships and diplomatic initiatives.

Finland's Panda Diplomacy Comes to an End

The departure of Lumi and Pyry from Finland marks the end of the country's panda diplomacy efforts, at least for the time being. Finland was the first Nordic nation to receive giant pandas from China, a gesture that was seen as a sign of goodwill and closer political ties between the two countries.However, the Ähtäri Zoo's struggles to maintain the pandas have highlighted the challenges that can arise when zoos and governments engage in such diplomatic initiatives. The financial burden of caring for the animals, as well as the need to ensure their well-being, can be significant, and zoos must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the costs.As the pandas prepare to embark on their journey back to China, the Ähtäri Zoo and the Finnish government will likely reflect on the lessons learned from this experience. While the pandas' departure is a disappointment, it may also serve as a catalyst for the zoo to reevaluate its priorities and explore new strategies for engaging with the public and securing its financial future.