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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How do you think the community can balance the cultural enjoyment of fireworks with the welfare of animals?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ben. First, can you share with us more about the unfortunate incident involving panda cub Roxie?
**Ben Supple:** Yes, it’s a tragic event for all of us at the zoo. Roxie, who had just lost her mother, Ginger, was adjusting well after receiving expert care. However, on Guy Fawkes night, she choked on her own vomit, an incident our vets believe was triggered by the stress from nearby fireworks.
**Interviewer:** That’s heartbreaking. What actions are you advocating for in response to this incident?
**Ben Supple:** We are calling on both the Scottish and UK governments to tighten regulations on fireworks. The current lack of restrictions allows for significant distress among animals, which can lead to tragic outcomes like Roxie’s. We’re pushing for a ban on sales of fireworks to the general public to protect our animals and pets.
**Interviewer:** Siobhian Brown, the Scottish Community Safety Minister, also mentioned the need for attention on this issue. How do you see the government’s role in mitigating these risks for animals?
**Ben Supple:** The government plays a crucial role. While the Minister acknowledges the stress fireworks cause, it is evident that decisive action is needed from both Scottish and central UK governments. This means not just discussing the matter, but implementing stricter regulations to safeguard our animals.
**Interviewer:** This raises an important point for discussion among the public. Given the cultural significance of fireworks during celebrations, do you believe the community would support such restrictions, or do you foresee pushback from those who enjoy fireworks?
**Ben Supple:** That’s a critical question. While many people understandably enjoy fireworks as part of celebrations, I believe there needs to be a greater awareness of the impact on vulnerable animals. This is an opportunity for dialogue—should public enjoyment outweigh the welfare of animals, or can we find a compromise that allows both to coexist?
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ben, for sharing your thoughts. This certainly opens up a larger conversation about fireworks and animal welfare, and it’ll be interesting to see where public opinion lands on this issue.