Finnish Zoo Returns Pandas to China Due to Costs
Finnish Zoo Faces Economics of Hosting Giant Pandas
The Ähtäri Zoo, located about 330 kilometers north of Helsinki, Finland, recently announced it will send two giant pandas back to China, eight years prematurely due to financial difficulties. This decision marks the end of what was meant to be a fifteen-year loan agreement established as part of diplomatic ties with China.
The panda pair, Lumi and Pyry, were initially gifted to Finland by China to celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence, arriving at the zoo on January 18, 2018. Under the original deal, they were supposed to remain at the zoo until 2033, but the challenging economic climate and inflated running costs have made their continued presence unfeasible for the small facility.
Over the years, the Ähtäri Zoo has endeavored to attract more visitors by investing heavily—in the hopes of making the pandas the cornerstone of its drawing power. A special panda exhibit, costing around 8 million euros (approximately $9 million), was constructed to house Lumi and Pyry. Despite these efforts, visitor numbers dwindled considerably, particularly following declines attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, increased inflation, and the economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to the zoo's board, the upkeep for the two pandas has reached approximately 1.5 million euros annually, which significantly exceeds the zoo's expenses for other animal species. This includes costs for importing their exclusive bamboo diet from the Netherlands and paying preservation fees back to China.
On September 20, 2024, the zoo officially reached out to Chinese authorities to return the animals following months of discussions on the financial predicament the zoo has faced. The decision is not merely operational but from the zoo's standpoint is framed more as a sad yet necessary business decision. Risto Sivonen, chairman of the zoo's board, stated, “Our economic situation does not allow us to keep the pandas anymore.”
Zoo curator Marko Haapakoski seemed regretful yet pragmatic, noting, "It's good for the zoo because it was so expensive to keep them, but the pandas had been doing well, and it's sad to see them go." They will undergo a mandated month-long quarantine before heading back to China, during which the zoo hopes to prepare for their departure.
Although some might question how this move may affect Finland's relationship with China, officials suggest it will remain intact. A spokesperson from Finland's foreign ministry asserted the decision is solely based on economic factors and does not represent any broader diplomatic shifts.
This return of the pandas highlights the high stakes involved when international loans such as these are made. Since the 1950s, China has effectively used giant pandas as diplomatic gifts, a strategy aimed at strengthening international relations and fostering goodwill. The practice has enabled China to position itself positively on the global stage, enhancing their soft power through such gestures.
Now, as the Ähtäri Zoo prepares for the pandas' departure, the broader implications surrounding this shift may resonate. Among the broader populations who enjoy these unique creatures, the pandas have served not only as symbols of conservation but embodiments of international friendship and cooperative spirit.
With roughly 1,860 giant pandas remaining in the wild, and about 600 others residing globally, their upkeep is no small feat. While many zoos around the world look to house these impressive animals, the costs associated, coupled with potential financial instability, can lead to difficult decisions like the one faced by the Ähtäri Zoo.
The future of Lumi and Pyry will now pivot toward their return to China, where they will once again contribute to the nation's conservation efforts and serve as ambassadors of goodwill, as they have for decades. Finland will continue its relationship with China but will need to reassess how to manage its own zoo operations amid changing economic winds.
