A zoo in Finland is returning pandas to China because they're too expensive to keep
Briefly

The Ahtari Zoo, located in central Finland, announced the early return of the giant panda pair Lumi and Pyry due to financial strains exacerbated by a decline in visitors, inflation, and the pandemic.
Initially a symbol of friendship between Finland and China, the panda loan agreement has turned challenging, as the costs associated with maintaining the pandas have outstripped the zoo's ability to support them.
Zoo management disclosed that the annual cost of upkeep, including a preservation fee and specialized bamboo sourced from the Netherlands, had reached 1.5 million euros, causing unsustainable financial pressure on the operation.
Despite efforts by the Chinese Embassy to assist financially, including encouraging donations from Chinese businesses in Finland, the zoo has struggled to remain economically viable during these turbulent times.
Read at www.npr.org
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