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 communities better educate the public about the effects of fireworks on animals and the potential need for alternatives?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Ben. Can you share more about the tragedy surrounding Roxie’s death?
**Ben Supple:** Thank you for having me. Roxie, our beloved panda cub, sadly choked on her own vomit on Guy Fawkes night, following distress that appears to be linked to the fireworks. She had already been coping with the loss of her mother, Ginger, and while our team provided her with the best care, the stress from the celebrations seemed to have taken a toll.
**Editor:** It’s heart-wrenching to hear about such a loss. You mentioned a call for stricter regulations on fireworks. Why do you think this is necessary?
**Ben Supple:** Fireworks can evoke intense fear and stress not only in pets and livestock but also in zoo animals like Roxie. The sound can be disruptive to their well-being. It’s crucial that governments recognize this and consider a ban on public sales to minimize these risks.
**Editor:** Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has acknowledged the issue and emphasized the need for action from the UK government. What do you believe is the next step for creating change?
**Ben Supple:** We need decisive action from both the Scottish and UK governments. I’m hopeful that discussions will lead to stricter guidelines that protect our animals from the distress caused by fireworks. The conversation around this issue must intensify.
**Editor:** With that in mind, we pose this question to our readers: Should there be stricter laws regarding fireworks to protect animals and pets? What do you think the balance should be between human celebrations and the welfare of animals? Let’s hear your thoughts.
