World Courant
A Finnish zoo is returning two large pandas to China eight years early, saying the animals can now not afford to be cared for.
Lumi and Pyry have been delivered to Finland in 2018 after the 2 international locations signed an settlement to guard the animals.
They have been supposed to remain within the Scandinavian nation for 15 years, however will probably be despatched again house in November. Ähtäri Zoo blames inflation and money owed attributable to the Covid pandemic for the pandas’ launch.
In accordance with the corporate, €1.5 million (£1.2 million) a 12 months was spent on the pandas’ repairs and greater than €8 million on their enclosure.
These annual prices embody a conservation charge to China, the zoo’s chairman mentioned.
One other issue within the resolution to launch the pandas was the truth that the Finnish authorities final 12 months rejected a request for public funding.
The hope was that the bears would appeal to guests, however the zoo introduced final 12 months that discussions have been underway to deliver them again.
Lumi and Pyry will quickly be quarantined for a month earlier than being despatched again to China.
A spokesman for the Finnish International Ministry mentioned the return of the pandas was a enterprise resolution past the federal government’s management and mustn’t have an effect on relations between Finland and China.
The Chinese language Embassy in Finland instructed Reuters information company that makes an attempt had been made to assist the zoo, however that in the long run a joint resolution was made to return the animals.
China sends pandas to international zoos to spice up its commerce relations, relationships and picture overseas. That is referred to as ‘panda diplomacy’.
