A Finnish zoo stated it is going to return two large pandas to China eight years forward of schedule as a result of it can’t afford to look after them.
Lumi and Pyry had been delivered to Finland in 2018 after the 2 nations signed an animal safety settlement.
They’re supposed to remain within the Nordic nation for 15 years however shall be despatched dwelling in November.
The corporate says it spends €1.5m (£1.2m) a yr on the maintenance of the pandas and greater than €8m on fencing.
The zoo’s chairman stated the annual payment consists of conservation charges paid to China.
One other issue within the choice to return the pandas was the Finnish authorities’s rejection of a request for state funding final yr.
It was hoped the bears would convey guests, however the zoo revealed final yr that their return was being mentioned.
Lumi and Pyry will quickly endure a month of quarantine earlier than being shipped again to China.
A spokesman for the Finnish Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated that the return of the enormous panda is a business choice that doesn’t contain the federal government and mustn’t have an effect on the connection between Finland and China.
In the meantime, the Finnish-Chinese language Embassy instructed Reuters that whereas it had tried its greatest to assist the zoo, it was finally a joint choice to ship the animals again.
China sends large pandas to overseas zoos to strengthen its commerce ties, relationships and picture overseas – It’s called “panda diplomacy.”
