Finnish Zoo Sends Pandas Back to China.

A zoo in Finland has made a difficult decision, agreeing to return two beloved giant pandas to China more than eight years ahead of schedule. The pandas, Lumi and Pyry, were a gift from China to mark Finland's 100 years of independence in 2017, and were originally set to stay until 2033. But the Ähtäri Zoo has faced a series of challenges that have made it impossible to keep the pandas.

The zoo's statement cites a decline in visitors, a consequence of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Rising inflation and interest rates have only exacerbated the financial strain. The cost of caring for the pandas, including a preservation fee to China, has been a significant burden.

The pandas' arrival in Finland in 2018 was a major event, with the zoo investing 8 million euros in a special panda annex to attract tourists. The pandas were a symbol of goodwill and closer political ties between Finland and China, but the economic realities have forced a change in plans.

The Chinese Embassy in Helsinki has extended support, urging Chinese companies in Finland to donate to the zoo and assisting with debt arrangements. However, the declining visitor numbers and economic downturn proved too much for the smaller Finnish zoo to overcome.

The panda pair will be quarantined for a month in late October before being shipped back to China. This decision marks the end of a chapter for the Ähtäri Zoo, and a reminder of the real-world challenges that can impact even the most cherished symbols of international cooperation.