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 steps can individuals take to support animal welfare while celebrating traditional events like Guy Fawkes night?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Ben. Can you explain what happened to Roxie the panda cub on Guy Fawkes night?
**Ben Supple**: Thank you for having me. Unfortunately, Roxie choked on her own vomit, which our vets believe was likely a reaction to the fireworks from the celebrations that night. She had recently lost her mother, Ginger, but had been responding well to care from our specialists. It’s a tragic situation for all of us here at the zoo.
**Interviewer**: That is heartbreaking. What measures are being considered to prevent incidents like this in the future?
**Ben Supple**: We are calling on both the Scottish and UK governments to tighten regulations on the use of fireworks. We believe there should be a ban on sales to the general public, as fireworks can cause significant stress to not just zoo animals but also pets and livestock.
**Interviewer**: Siobhian Brown, the Scottish Community Safety Minister, also voiced concerns about the impact of fireworks on animals. How do you see the role of government in addressing this issue?
**Ben Supple**: The government plays a crucial role in this. They have the power to implement changes that can protect animals from the dangers that fireworks pose. It’s imperative that they take these concerns seriously, and we are hopeful that discussions will lead to meaningful action.
**Interviewer**: Given the situation, what would you say to the public about the balance between celebrating events like Guy Fawkes night and protecting animal welfare?
**Ben Supple**: It’s essential for communities to find ways to celebrate that do not compromise the safety and wellbeing of animals. This incident raises an important question: should we reconsider how we celebrate such events in light of the impacts on our wildlife and pets?
**Interviewer**: A thought-provoking point, Ben. As we wrap up, we’d like to hear from our readers: do you believe that stricter regulations on fireworks are necessary to protect animals, or do you think celebrating with fireworks is a long-standing tradition that should continue? Share your thoughts below!
