Finland’s Ähtari Zoo has announced that they will be returning their two giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, to China due to financial constraints caused by inflation. The decision was made after the zoo calculated that the cost of keeping the pandas, which includes a five-year agreement with China for the loan of the animals, would become unsustainable.
The pandas arrived in Finland in 2018 as part of an agreement with China to promote cultural exchange between the two countries. The pandas quickly became a popular attraction at the zoo, drawing in visitors from all over the country. However, the increasing costs of caring for the pandas, coupled with the economic impact of inflation, have forced the zoo to rethink their long-term plans for the animals.
The decision to return the pandas has sparked sadness among visitors and animal lovers in Finland, who have grown attached to Lumi and Pyry during their time at the zoo. Many have expressed their disappointment on social media, with some calling for a crowdfunding campaign to keep the pandas in Finland.
The zoo has assured the public that they will take good care of the pandas during their return journey to China, and that they are working closely with Chinese authorities to ensure a smooth transition. The pandas will be missed by both staff and visitors at the zoo, but the financial strain caused by inflation has left the zoo with no choice but to send the beloved animals back to their homeland.
Overall, the decision to return the giant pandas highlights the challenges faced by zoos around the world in maintaining exotic and endangered species in the face of rising costs and economic uncertainty.
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