Ähtäri Zoo to return panda bears Lumi and Pyry to China after loan since 2018

Ähtäri Zoo announced on Monday evening at 8 PM that it has made the decision to return the panda bears Lumi and Pyry to China. The pandas have been on loan from the Chinese government at the zoo since 2018.

According to the zoo, several factors have contributed to this decision, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in tourism, and rising inflation and interest rates due to the war in Ukraine. In addition, the zoo mentioned that it is considering seeking debt restructuring to address its financial situation.

Both the zoo and a separate panda company are nearly entirely owned by the city of Ähtäri. In a live broadcast starting at 7:50 AM, Yle will discuss the considerations that led to the decision to part with the pandas and explore what will happen to them next.

In an interview conducted by journalist Päivi Rautanen, the zoo’s director Arja Väliaho, Risto Sivonen, chairman of the panda company and the zoo’s board, and Perttu Sonninen, the mayor of Ähtäri, will share their insights.