Police halt investigation into theft of critically endangered flowers

Finnish police have dropped their investigation into the theft of critically endangered hämeenkylmänkukka flowers, leaving the fate of the stolen plants unresolved, reports public broadcaster Yle.

The flowers, protected under strict conservation laws, were dug up and removed from their natural habitat in late April at Ahvenisto in Hämeenlinna. At least three specimens were taken from the site near a public outdoor swimming area.

Each hämeenkylmänkukka—found almost exclusively in Finland’s Kanta-Häme region—holds a state-assigned value of €1,493, as determined by the Ministry of the Environment. Authorities previously estimated the stolen plants were unlikely to survive transplantation.

Detective Chief Inspector Jani Stepanoff confirmed that no suspects or witnesses have been identified. “We currently lack any leads that could help determine who may have committed this act over several possible days,” Stepanoff stated.

Forensic analysis of the site suggested deliberate removal. “The hole left behind had been covered,” noted Leena Väisänen, a forestry engineer with Hämeenlinna city. “If it hadn’t been, I would have assumed an animal had dug there. This was clearly human interference.”

The case remains rare for local law enforcement. While Kanta-Häme typically sees 5–10 suspected nature conservation offences annually, investigations often face challenges without direct evidence. Police have not yet collaborated with other agencies, such as the Finnish Forest Centre or environmental authorities, in this instance.

The flowers were last seen intact on April 19, with the theft discovered the following Thursday. Under Finnish law, protected species violations can carry substantial fines—up to nearly €100,000 for multiple offences.