A zoo in Finland is to return two big pandas to China eight years early, saying it may possibly not afford to take care of them.
Lumi and Pyry had been dropped at Finland in 2018, after the 2 international locations signed an settlement to guard the animals.
They had been meant to remain within the Nordic nation for 15 years however will likely be despatched residence in November – with Ähtäri Zoo blaming inflation and debt linked to the Covid pandemic as causes for the panda’s eviction.
It mentioned it had spent €1.5m (£1.2m) a yr on the pandas repairs, in addition to greater than €8m on their enclosure.
That annual price included a preservation charge to China, the zoo’s chairman mentioned.
One other issue within the resolution to return the pandas was the Finnish authorities rejecting pleas for state funding final yr.
It was hoped the bears would usher in guests, however the zoo revealed final yr that it was discussing their return.
Lumi and Pyry will quickly go right into a month-long quarantine earlier than they’re shipped again to China.
A spokesperson for Finland’s overseas ministry mentioned the pandas’ return was a enterprise resolution that didn’t contain the federal government, and that it mustn’t affect relations between Finland and China.
Finland’s Chinese language embassy, in the meantime, advised the Reuters information company that whereas efforts had been made to attempt to assist the zoo, a be a part of resolution was finally made to ship the animals again.
China sends pandas to overseas zoos to strengthen its buying and selling ties, relationships and picture overseas – termed ‘panda diplomacy’.
