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 impact do fireworks have on the welfare of animals in households and farms?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ben. Can you tell us more about what happened to Roxie on Guy Fawkes night?
**Ben Supple:** Yes, unfortunately, Roxie, our young panda cub, choked on her own vomit due to stress from the fireworks that night. She had recently lost her mother, Ginger, and although she was responding well to care, the loud noises seemed to trigger a distressing reaction.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly tragic. What steps are you urging the governments to take in light of this incident?
**Ben Supple:** We are calling for stricter guidelines on the use of fireworks, including a ban on their sale to the general public. Fireworks can be extremely distressing for animals, not just in zoos but in households and farms throughout the country.
**Interviewer:** Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown mentioned that the decision lies with the London government. Do you believe there’s enough momentum for a change in legislation regarding fireworks usage?
**Ben Supple:** Yes, I think there is growing awareness of the impact fireworks have on animals, and it’s crucial that we harness this moment. We hope to engage in meaningful discussions with legislators to protect vulnerable animals from such stress in the future.
**Interviewer:** As this conversation unfolds, what do you think our readers should consider about the use of fireworks? Should personal enjoyment come before the well-being of animals?
**Ben Supple:** That’s an important question. I believe we need to weigh the benefits of these celebrations against the potential harm they cause to animals. I’d love to hear what readers think—should we prioritize public enjoyment, or should the welfare of our animals lead us to reconsider how we celebrate events like Guy Fawkes night?
