After residing at the Ähtäri Zoo in Finland for only three years, two giant pandas, Jin Baobao and Hua Bao, are being returned to China. This decision comes earlier than expected due to lower-than-expected visitor numbers at the zoo, as well as the pandas not successfully reproducing during their time in Finland.
The pandas arrived at Ähtäri Zoo in January 2018 as part of a 15-year agreement between Finland and China, with hopes of increasing tourism and revenue for the zoo. However, despite initial excitement and interest from the public, the zoo has not seen the anticipated increase in visitors since the pandas’ arrival.
Additionally, it was hoped that Jin Baobao and Hua Bao would successfully mate and produce a cub during their time in Finland. Unfortunately, despite efforts to facilitate breeding between the pandas, they were unsuccessful in producing offspring. This led to the decision to return the pandas to China ahead of schedule.
The pandas will be transported back to China by a special team of experts, who will ensure their safe and comfortable journey. The pandas will be quarantined upon their return to China before being reintroduced to a breeding program in another location.
The decision to return the pandas early has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing disappointment at the news while others understanding the economic pressures that the zoo faces. Despite the early return of Jin Baobao and Hua Bao, the Ähtäri Zoo remains committed to conservation efforts and providing a welcoming environment for all its animal residents.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com