Finland's Ähtäri Zoo is set to send back its giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, to China sooner than scheduled, largely due to financial issues that have become increasingly challenging since 2020. The zoo's general curator, Marko Haapakoski, indicated that these struggles were unexpected and stemmed from various difficulties, including a significant drop in annual visitor numbers caused by the pandemic, along with rising inflation and increasing interest rates in Finland.

Despite receiving considerable support from their Chinese partners and the zoo's numerous efforts to navigate the situation, Haapakoski noted that the decision to return the pandas was ultimately unavoidable. He emphasized that both Finland and China reached an agreement through amicable discussions, determining that the most suitable outcome was to send the pandas back to China. The pandas will remain on display until October 20, after which the facility will be closed and they will go into quarantine for a month prior to their departure.

Plans for a farewell event are underway, and the zoo hopes that many visitors will come to bid farewell to the pandas as they prepare for their journey home. Lumi and Pyry were brought to Finland in January 2018 on a 15-year research loan, and Haapakoski reaffirmed that both pandas are in good health. Light is being shed on the financial decision-making, with a spokesperson from Finland's foreign ministry clarifying that the decision to return the pandas was made solely by the zoo and does not involve the Finnish government, thus not affecting diplomatic relations between Finland and China. The Chinese embassy in Helsinki also acknowledged this conclusion following friendly consultations.