Finland to Return Pandas to China Early Due to Financial Struggles
Helsinki, Finland – A Finnish zoo is set to return two giant pandas, Huabao and Jinbao, to China earlier than planned due to financial difficulties. The decision was announced by the Ähtäri Zoo, a privately-ownedfacility in central Finland, on Monday, September 24th.
The zoo cited a combination of factors contributing to its financial woes, including debt accumulated during theCOVID-19 pandemic, declining visitor numbers, inflation, and rising interest rates exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The zoo is reportedly on the verge of collapse and is planning to file for debt restructuring within the next month.
Huabao and Jinbao arrived in Finland in January 2018 as part of a 15-year research and conservation program between China and Finland. The pandas were given local names, Pyry(meaning snowfall) for the male and Lumi (meaning snow) for the female, after a public vote.
The zoo’s director, Marko Haapakoski, expressed his fond memories of the pandas, particularly their mating and breeding season. However, the pandas did not produce anycubs during their time at the zoo.
Haapakoski highlighted the progress made in panda conservation in recent years, with the species’ status being downgraded from endangered to vulnerable. The wild panda population has grown to nearly 2,000, while over 600 pandasare kept in captivity.
This is a significant improvement compared to a decade ago, Haapakoski said.
The zoo’s financial struggles began in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted visitor numbers and revenue. The panda conservation project was particularly affected, leading to financial difficultiesfor the zoo.
To assist the zoo, Chinese businesses and the Chinese embassy in Finland provided financial support, including contributions from COSCO Shipping Group and Juneyao Airlines. The Finnish government also offered a one-time grant of €200,000 in 2021, but rejected asubsequent request for €5 million in 2023.
In January 2023, the zoo announced it was considering returning the pandas to China due to the inability to cover their upkeep costs.
Following discussions between Chinese and Finnish authorities, a decision was made to return Huabao and Jinbao to China before the end of the year. The decision was made with the well-being of the pandas as a priority.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association announced the return of the pandas on September 24th, stating that both countries would work together to ensure a smooth transition and prepare the pandas for theirjourney back to China.
The collaboration between China and Finland during the panda project has been deemed successful, fostering strong relations and promoting research, conservation, and public education about the species.
The early return of the pandas marks a bittersweet end to the project, highlighting the challenges faced by zoos and conservation efforts in achanging world.
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