Entrance of Ähtäri Zoo in Ähtäri, Finland. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva
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Ähtäri Zoo and the adjoining Hotel Mesikämmen have filed for bankruptcy after years of financial strain, leaving the fate of almost 200 animals in limbo.
The decision, confirmed by the South Ostrobothnia District Court, comes after unsuccessful efforts to restore financial stability through corporate restructuring. Both entities submitted their bankruptcy applications last Friday. Attorney Leo Lagerstam has been appointed as the estate administrator.
Operations at the zoo and hotel will continue as usual until the end of October, including during the autumn school holidays. Despite the financial collapse, ticket prices remain unchanged for the time being.
Zoo director Arja Väliaho said the immediate focus is on finding a new operator willing to continue the zoo’s operations, which have run in Ähtäri for over half a century. If no such party is found, negotiations will begin with other Finnish and European zoos to relocate the animals.
“We’re putting all our energy into finding a successor,” said Väliaho. “That would allow the animals to stay here, and we wouldn’t need to talk about moving them at all.”
Ähtäri Zoo, established in 1973, is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which coordinates the relocation and exchange of animals among member institutions. Under EAZA protocols, efforts will be made to ensure all animals find safe and appropriate homes.
The zoo has not yet considered the possibility of euthanising animals. Väliaho said no internal discussions on that topic have taken place.
Bankruptcy filings reveal that Ähtäri Zoo owes nearly €17.1 million, while its assets are estimated at just over €700,000. Hotel Mesikämmen has around €4 million in liabilities and assets worth approximately €525,000.
Despite the grim financial news, the weekend following the bankruptcy announcement saw a surge in visitors. According to Väliaho, more than a thousand people visited on Sunday alone. Hotel bookings also increased, with few cancellations.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who came. It really means a lot,” Väliaho said.
The zoo will maintain normal opening hours for now and may extend them depending on visitor turnout. Its traditional night-time safari event will continue as scheduled.
The bankruptcy marks a dramatic turn for one of Finland’s best-known wildlife parks. In 2018, Ähtäri Zoo leased two giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry, from China. Their 15-year lease was terminated early in 2024 due to financial pressures, and they were returned to China.
The panda house did not remain empty for long. Earlier this year, a male spectacled bear named Tao arrived from France and took up residence in the former panda enclosure. Plans to bring two more spectacled bears, one from the UK and another from France, were shelved following the bankruptcy. The required permits had already been secured.
“Those transfers are now frozen,” said Väliaho. “If a new operator is found, we’ll revisit the matter.”
The zoo had entered a corporate restructuring process in late 2024, but progress was slow and insufficient. Despite some adjustments, financial equilibrium was never achieved.
The broader economic strain, changing visitor habits, and the high costs associated with exotic animal care contributed to the collapse. The zoo and hotel had hoped to turn the situation around, but ultimately concluded that continued operations were not viable under the current model.
The case has drawn national attention, not only because of the financial failure but due to the complex task of securing the welfare of the animals. The zoo houses a variety of species, including bears, lynx, owls, reindeer, and endangered animals under conservation programmes.
Discussions are ongoing with EAZA and other wildlife organisations to ensure that any animal transfers are handled under established welfare guidelines.
While Ähtäri Zoo’s long-term future is uncertain, local and international efforts are being mobilised to prevent any immediate harm to the animals. The estate administrator will begin the process of evaluating the zoo’s assets and liabilities, while also reviewing interest from potential buyers or successor operators.
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
