Central Finland's resident pandas, Lumi and Pyry, returned to China on Saturday, eight years ahead of schedule.
The pandas' transportation was carefully planned and carried out by various authorities, according to Ähtäri Zoo.
Lumi and Pyry's journey went ahead as planned despite the snowy weather, the zoo said in a press release. The pandas reached their new home at a conservation centre in China on Saturday afternoon.
Medical checks performed on the animals after their arrival showed them to be in excellent health, according to Ähtäri Zoo.
The giant pandas were leased to Ähtäri Zoo by China in 2017, as a symbol of goodwill and friendship to mark Finland's 100 years of independence. The gesture was noted at the time to be a continuation of Chinese 'panda diplomacy'.
The zoo's financial difficulties contributed to the pandas' early departure.
While the arrival of Lumi and Pyry in Ähtäri was seen as a high point in Finnish-Chinese relations, the All Points North podcast explored how the relationship has since become more strained.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
