Ähtäri|The zoo has been in the headlines in recent years due to its financial difficulties. However, the decision to return was not made lightly, the zoo says.
Ähtärin the zoo’s giant pandas will return to their homeland in China by the end of the year, the zoo said in its announcement on Monday evening.
According to the release, the return of the pandas has been influenced by, among other things, the decrease in annual tourists caused by the pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the resulting significant rise in inflation and interest rates.
The zoo has been in the headlines in recent years due to its financial difficulties.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the means to continue the conservation project of this wonderful species that came to us as an endangered species in Finland. The board of the zoo is responsible for the company and the well-being of all residents of our park,” says the chairman of the board of the Ähtäri zoo Risto Sivonen in the bulletin.
Sivonen states in the press release that the decision has not been made on frivolous grounds.
“After negotiations with our Chinese conservation partner, we decided together that the best solution for all parties is to return the pandas to China,” Sivonen says in the press release.
Sivonen tells HS that he believes that the return of the pandas will be reflected in the number of visitors to the animal park.
“Yes, it will certainly have a negative impact.”
However, Sivonen reminds that the animal park has been standing for more than 50 years and there are many other animals there.
Ähtäri Zoo built its own panda house for the pandas after the giant pandas Lumi and Pyry arrived at Ähtäri Zoo in 2018. The top features of the Panda House include, for example, a panda hospital.
What happens to the empty panda house?
“We have to see, it’s a big expense for us,” Sivonen says.
Most likely, a new species will be acquired to replace the pandas, Sivonen says. According to him, the panda house could serve as a home for another endangered species.
The status of the giant panda species has changed from endangered to endangered during the time that Snow and Panda have been in the Ähtäri zoo.
Panda house is open for visitors until October 21st. After that, the pandas will be quarantined for a month, after which they will be returned to China, Sivonen says.
At the earliest, the pandas would head to China at the end of November. Another month’s quarantine would await in China, after which the pandas would probably be placed in one of the country’s panda care centers, Sivonen says.
According to Sivonen, there will be medical staff on the flight who will try to take care of the safety of the pandas.
Chairman Sivonen does not find it embarrassing that the pandas are being returned to China before their time.
“Our grit just wasn’t enough anymore.”
Sivonen does not consider bringing the pandas to Ähtäri a mistake, but is satisfied that the Ähtäri Zoo participated in panda conservation activities.
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