In 2018 two pandas were brought to Finland. At the time the whole country seemed to have gone crazy. After all, only a select few countries actually get to host pandas. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to this "gift". 

All of worlds pandas are owned by China. As a result of this monopoly on worlds panda population, China has been able to turn the animals into a foreign policy tool. The deal to bring pandas to Finland was finalized during a meeting between Finnish president Sauli Niinistö and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The pandas arrived in Finland in 2018 and were transferred to Ähtäri Zoo where the animals are to this day. At least for now.

Despite being hailed as a "gift" the pandas are in reality on rent from China. Ähtäri Zoo is paying China around 900 000€ per year for the privilege of hosting the animals. A hefty prize for a zoo that has been in financial problems for years. Now, for the second year in the row, the financial problems have gotten so bad that the zoo is considering sending the pandas back to China. The zoo is now appealing to investors, including the Finland-China Business Association for additional funding, otherwise the animals could be sent back to China early next year. I say, good riddance.

China has one of the worst human rights records on the planet. China "gifting" pandas to zoos around the world is one way they are trying to limit criticism towards their horrific human rights violations. As such, the pandas should never have been brought to Finland and that Ähtäri Zoo is once again facing financial problems over the animals, it's time to do the right thing and send the pandas back.