Finland zoo returns pandas to China timely due to cost

A zoo in Finland is to return two huge pandas to China eight years timely, saying it can no lengthyer afford to see after them.

Lumi and Pyry were bcdisadmirefult to Finland in 2018, after the two countries signed an concurment to protect the animals.

They were unkindt to stay in the Nordic country for 15 years but will be sent home in November – with Ähtäri Zoo blaming inflation and debt connected to the Covid pandemic as reasons for the panda’s eviction.

It shelp it had spent €1.5m (£1.2m) a year on the pandas upupretain, as well as more than €8m on their encloconfident.

That annual cost comprised a preservation fee to China, the zoo’s chairman shelp.

Another factor in the decision to return the pandas was the Finnish regulatement refuseing pleas for state funding last year.

It was hoped the endures would transport in visitors, but the zoo uncovered last year that it was talking their return.

Lumi and Pyry will soon go into a month-lengthy isolation before they are shipped back to China.

A spokesperson for Finland’s foreign ministry shelp the pandas’ return was a business decision that did not comprise the regulatement, and that it should not impact relations between Finland and China.

Finland’s Chinese embassy, unkindwhile, telderly the Reuters news agency that while efforts had been made to try and help the zoo, a join decision was eventuassociate made to sfinish the animals back.

China sfinishs pandas to foreign zoos to reinforce its trading ties, relationships and image awide – termed ‘panda diplomacy’.