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 better protect wildlife from stressors like fireworks during celebrations?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland**
**Q: Ben, can you elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Roxie’s tragic passing?**
**Ben Supple:** Certainly. Roxie, our young panda cub, unfortunately choked on her own vomit on Guy Fawkes night, which our vets believe may have been a reaction to the fireworks. She had been coping well after the recent loss of her mother, Ginger, and we were encouraged by her progress.
**Q: What specific actions are you advocating for regarding firework regulations?**
**Ben Supple:** We are urging both the Scottish and UK governments to tighten the guidelines on firework use and to consider banning sales to the general public. Fireworks can induce significant fear and stress in animals, and it’s crucial we protect them from such distress.
**Q: Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has expressed her concerns as well. What actions do you hope will follow her comments?**
**Ben Supple:** I hope her request for a meeting with the UK government will lead to constructive discussions on how we can collectively address this issue. It’s essential that we take wildlife welfare seriously, and I believe that changes can be made to alleviate the stress that fireworks cause.
**Q: How do you think the public should respond to incidents like Roxie’s death? Should they be proactive about advocating for change?**
**Ben Supple:** Absolutely. The public plays a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for policy changes. We need conversations to happen, and I encourage everyone to voice their concerns about how fireworks impact not just pets and livestock, but wildlife in captivity as well.
**Debate Question for Readers:** Given the tragic circumstances surrounding Roxie’s death and the ongoing concerns about fireworks’ effects on animals, do you believe it’s time to implement stricter regulations on firework sales and usage across the UK? What are your thoughts on balancing celebrations with animal welfare?
