Finland to return pandas to China early due to cost

A zoo in Finland is to return two giant pandas to China eight years early, saying it can no longer afford to look after them.

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

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

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

That annual cost included a preservation fee to China, the zoo's chairman said.

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

It was hoped the bears would bring in visitors, but the zoo revealed last year that it was discussing their return.

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

A spokesperson for Finland's foreign ministry said the pandas' return was a business decision that did not involve the government, and that it should not impact relations between Finland and China.

Finland's Chinese embassy, meanwhile, told the Reuters news agency that while efforts had been made to try and help the zoo, a join decision was eventually made to send the animals back.

China sends pandas to foreign zoos to strengthen its trading ties, relationships and image abroad - termed 'panda diplomacy'.