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 can the public get involved in advocating for stricter fireworks laws to protect wildlife?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of RZSS**
**Editor:** Ben, thank you for joining us. Our hearts go out to the team at the zoo after the untimely death of Roxie, the panda cub. Can you elaborate on how the fireworks on Guy Fawkes night might have contributed to this tragic incident?
**Ben Supple:** Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a very sad situation. Roxie, who had recently lost her mother, was under a lot of stress. We believe that the loud noises from the fireworks caused her to panic, leading to her choking on her own vomit. It’s a reminder of how sensitive animals are to their environment.
**Editor:** That’s heartbreaking. What measures are you advocating for to prevent such incidents in the future?
**Ben Supple:** We’re calling for the Scottish Government and the UK central government to tighten restrictions on the use and sale of fireworks. They can create guidelines that ensure the safety of not just pets and livestock, but also animals in our zoos. It’s vital for their well-being.
**Editor:** Siobhian Brown mentioned that the London government has the opportunity to act. Do you think current regulations are too lenient?
**Ben Supple:** Absolutely. The regulations around fireworks seem outdated. We need stronger controls to prevent public access to fireworks. The fear and stress they cause to animals cannot be overlooked, and it’s time for us to step up and protect them.
**Editor:** This raises an interesting debate for our readers. Do you believe that the use of fireworks should be restricted solely for the sake of animal welfare, or should personal freedom and tradition also be taken into account? What are your thoughts?