Finland: Zoo sends giant pandas back to China
A financially struggling Finnish zoo is preparing to return two giant pandas on loan from China, as it can no longer afford to keep them.
Panda diplomacy has failed
The pandas were loaned to the Ahtari Zoo in 2018 as part of a species conservation agreement between China and Finland. The private zoo had hoped that the pandas would attract visitors. However, COVID-19 travel restrictions led to a decline in visitor numbers and mounting debts.
A proposal for a state subsidy of 5 million euros was withdrawn after members of parliament pointed out that the amount was higher than what the country spends annually on the protection of its own endangered species .
1 million dollars per year
China owns almost all of the world's giant pandas and leases them under the so-called “panda diplomacy” scheme. Zoos wishing to host a pair of pandas must pay around one million US dollars per year for the privilege.
“Giant pandas are essentially wild animals, so they will suffer in captivity regardless of the conditions humans create for them,” Long Yuanzhi told Radio Free Asia. The vast majority of pandas living in captivity will never be returned to the wild.
Wild pandas do not need humans
The wild population currently stands at just over 1’800 individuals, while approximately 700 pandas live in captivity worldwide. “Giant pandas do not need humans: humans need giant pandas,” says Long. More on the topic of animal rights.
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