Overview

• The private Ähtäri Zoo in Finland will return two giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, to China later this year, eight years ahead of schedule.
• The decision stems from financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• The zoo had hoped the pandas would attract more visitors but faced mounting debts and an annual upkeep cost of €1.5 million.
• Efforts by the Chinese government to assist, including encouraging donations from Chinese companies in Finland, were insufficient.
• The pandas will enter a month-long quarantine in late October before being transported back to China.