Panda cub Roxie choked on her own vomit at the zoo on the so-called Guy Fawkes night on 5 November. The annual celebration marks the failed attempt by a gang led by Fawkes to kill King James in 1605.
– Roxie had recently lost her mum Ginger, but responded well to specialist help from our experts and was fed on her own. It’s very sad, but she choked on her own vomit on Guy Fawkes night, and our vets believe this was probably a reaction to the fireworks, says deputy head Ben Supple of the animal welfare organization Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which owns the zoo .
Supple is calling on the Scottish Government and UK central government to tighten guidelines on the use of fireworks, and he is advocating a ban on sales to the general public.
– Fireworks can cause fear and stress for pets, livestock and animals in zoos, so it is vital that the British and Scottish governments tighten the restrictions on their use and sale, he says.
Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown says that fireworks are very stressful for animals and that the death is sad. But it is the government in London that has the opportunity to do something about it, she says and adds that she has asked for a meeting to discuss the matter.
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What measures can be taken to ensure animal welfare during public celebrations involving fireworks?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Ben. Can you explain what happened to Roxie on Guy Fawkes night?
**Ben Supple:** Thank you for having me. Unfortunately, on Guy Fawkes night, Roxie choked on her own vomit, which our vets believe was likely a reaction to the distress caused by the fireworks. It’s a tragic loss, especially since she had just lost her mother, Ginger, and was beginning to respond well to treatment and care.
**Editor:** What steps are you advocating for to prevent such incidents in the future?
**Ben Supple:** We are calling for the Scottish and UK governments to tighten the guidelines on the use and sale of fireworks. Fireworks can cause significant fear and stress for animals, not just in zoos but in homes and farms too. We believe a complete ban on sales to the general public would be a proactive measure to protect animals from unnecessary stress.
**Editor:** Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has also commented on the issue, indicating that the London government has more power to enact change. How do you feel about the shared responsibility between local and central government?
**Ben Supple:** It’s vital for both levels of government to collaborate on this issue. While local governments can implement certain measures, broader restrictions on a national level would have a greater impact. We hope that this incident sparks a meaningful discussion and leads to decisive action.
**Editor:** This situation raises questions about the balance between public celebrations and animal welfare. What do you think readers should reflect on in light of Roxie’s tragic death? Should personal enjoyment take precedence over animal welfare, or is it time to reconsider how we celebrate events involving fireworks?
**Ben Supple:** That’s a profound question. We encourage readers to consider the potential consequences of their celebrations on the lives of animals. It’s time to collectively reevaluate whether our traditions and festivities should come at the expense of other living beings’ well-being.
