Finland's Second Largest Zoo Sold for 1 Euro After Bankruptcy 0 14

In Finland, a zoo in the city of Ähtäri was sold for just one euro. A favorite spot for locals and a tourist attraction has gone bankrupt. The buyer is an association created by former and current zoo employees. They plan to preserve the institution and continue caring for the animals.

According to Finnish broadcasting company Yle, the deal included the rights to lease the land and property, all the animals of the zoo and the adjacent farm, as well as movable property, feed, equipment, and vehicles.

The zoo declared bankruptcy in early October this year. The main reason was a sharp decline in tourist traffic and a lack of funds.

This zoo is the second largest in Finland. It was founded in 1973 and occupies an area of 60 hectares. From 2017 to 2024, it housed giant pandas, which had to be returned to China — partly due to financial difficulties.

Currently, the zoo is home to about 300 animals representing 65 different species. Among them are brown bears, moose, wolves, lynxes, snow leopards, wolverines, reindeer, and many other inhabitants of the northern nature. The zoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), which confirms its high standards of animal care.

The new owners intend to do everything possible to preserve the unique zoo and its inhabitants, prevent it from disappearing, and reopen it to visitors in the future.