Finland zoo returns pandas to China early due to cost

Inflation and debt are among the reasons Lumi and Pyry are being sent home eight years early.

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Lumi and Pyry were brought to Finland in 2018, after the two countries signed an agreement to protect the animals.

They were meant to stay in the Nordic country for 15 years but will be sent home in November – with Ähtäri Zoo blaming inflation and debt linked to the Covid pandemic as reasons for the panda's eviction.

It said it had spent €1.5m (£1.2m) a year on the pandas upkeep, as well as more than €8m on their enclosure.

That annual cost included a preservation fee to China, the zoo's chairman said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0z289ervmo

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