A zoo in Finland is to return two big pandas to China eight years early, saying it could possibly not afford to take care of them.
Lumi and Pyry have been delivered to Finland in 2018, after the 2 nations signed an settlement to guard the animals.
They have been meant to remain within the Nordic nation for 15 years however can be despatched dwelling in November – with Ähtäri Zoo blaming inflation and debt linked to the Covid pandemic as causes for the panda’s eviction.
It stated it had spent €1.5m (£1.2m) a 12 months on the pandas maintenance, in addition to greater than €8m on their enclosure.
That annual price included a preservation payment to China, the zoo’s chairman stated.
One other issue within the resolution to return the pandas was the Finnish authorities rejecting pleas for state funding final 12 months.
It was hoped the bears would usher in guests, however the zoo revealed final 12 months 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 international ministry stated the pandas’ return was a enterprise resolution that didn’t contain the federal government, and that it mustn’t impression relations between Finland and China.
Finland’s Chinese language embassy, in the meantime, informed the Reuters information company that whereas efforts had been made to try to assist the zoo, a be part of resolution was ultimately made to ship the animals again.
China sends pandas to international zoos to strengthen its buying and selling ties, relationships and picture overseas – termed ‘panda diplomacy’.
