A call for a ban on fireworks has been prompted by the tragic death of a baby red panda at Edinburgh Zoo on Bonfire Night. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which owns the zoo, revealed that three-month-old red panda Roxie passed away after choking on her vomit. The vets at the zoo have attributed Roxie’s death to her reaction to fireworks in the vicinity. Despite receiving specialist care and showing signs of improvement after losing her mother, Ginger, Roxie succumbed to the distress caused by the fireworks. The deputy chief executive of RZSS, Ben Supple, emphasised the detrimental impact of fireworks on animals and urged for stricter regulations.
Mr Supple’s plea extends to both the Scottish and UK governments to implement more stringent restrictions on fireworks. He advocated for a prohibition on the sale of fireworks to the public, supporting organised events for controlled displays instead. The concern lies not only with the physical harm caused by fireworks but also the psychological distress they induce in animals, as seen in Roxie’s case. Furthermore, the charity highlighted the limitations of firework exclusion zones in safeguarding animals in zoos due to the expansive reach of fireworks’ noise.
According to the charity, over one million signatures have been collected in a petition urging tighter regulations on fireworks, which was delivered to Downing Street recently. Scottish community safety minister Siobhian Brown acknowledged the distressing nature of fireworks for animals. Brown expressed willingness to collaborate with the UK Government to explore additional measures concerning fireworks regulations. Additionally, local authorities have been empowered to establish firework control zones to mitigate the impact of fireworks on communities.
A spokesperson from the UK Department for Business and Trade affirmed their commitment to ensuring public and pet safety, highlighting a recent campaign promoting responsible firework usage. In response to Roxie’s tragic demise, Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton voiced his support for reevaluating the current regulations governing fireworks. The prevailing rules on licensing, sales, and usage of fireworks may be re-evaluated to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The discussion around fireworks regulations is gaining momentum following Roxie’s untimely passing, as various stakeholders and officials consider the necessity of a potential ban on disruptive fireworks. Calls for restrictions on loud fireworks are resonating across different sectors, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review of fireworks policies. The emotional and physical toll on animals, such as Roxie, serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of fireworks beyond human enjoyment.
As the public grapples with the repercussions of the baby red panda’s death, the debate over fireworks regulation intensifies. The tragic incident at Edinburgh Zoo has spurred a reevaluation of current practices and policies surrounding fireworks to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The collective outcry for stricter regulations underscores the need for a holistic approach to ensure the well-being of animals and communities alike amidst celebrations involving fireworks.