A Finnish zoo stated it can return two large pandas to China eight years forward of schedule as a result of it can not afford to look after them.
Lumi and Pyry had been delivered to Finland in 2018 after the 2 international locations signed an animal safety settlement.
They’re supposed to remain within the Nordic nation for 15 years however might be despatched residence in November.
The corporate says it spends €1.5m (£1.2m) a yr on the maintenance of the pandas and greater than €8m on fencing.
The zoo’s chairman stated the annual payment contains conservation charges paid to China.
One other issue within the determination to return the pandas was the Finnish authorities’s rejection of a request for state funding final yr.
It was hoped the bears would convey guests, however the zoo revealed final yr that their return was being mentioned.
Lumi and Pyry will quickly endure a month of quarantine earlier than being shipped again to China.
A spokesman for the Finnish Ministry of International Affairs stated that the large panda’s return to China is a industrial determination that doesn’t contain the federal government and shouldn’t have an effect on the connection between Finland and China.
In the meantime, the Finnish-Chinese language Embassy informed Reuters that whereas it had tried its finest to assist the zoo, it was finally a joint determination to ship the animals again.
China sends large pandas to overseas zoos to strengthen its commerce ties, relationships and picture overseas – It’s known as “Panda Diplomacy”.
