Finland Zoo to Return Giant Pandas to China Due to Financial Strain

Ahtari Zoo will send back Lumi and Pyry eight years early as costs and declining visitors make their upkeep unsustainable.

The pandas, Lumi and Pyry, were part of a 15-year loan agreement with China but will return in November 2024, eight years ahead of schedule.
The decision is driven by financial difficulties, including inflation, debt from the COVID-19 pandemic, and lower visitor numbers.
Ahtari Zoo spent approximately 1.5 million euros annually on the pandas, with total costs surpassing 8 million euros for their enclosure and upkeep.
The Chinese Embassy attempted to assist the zoo financially, but economic challenges proved insurmountable.
The pandas will undergo a month-long quarantine before their return, a move that is not expected to affect Finland-China diplomatic relations.