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 tighter regulations on fireworks to protect animals?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland**
**Interviewer:** Ben, thank you for joining us today. Can you start by sharing more about the tragic incident involving Roxie the panda and the impact of fireworks on animals?
**Ben Supple:** Thank you for having me. Tragically, Roxie choked on her own vomit during the fireworks celebrations on Guy Fawkes night. This incident seems to be linked to the stress that the fireworks caused, especially considering she had recently lost her mother, Ginger. Our vets believe the loud noises frightened her, which contributed to her distress and eventual choking.
**Interviewer:** It’s heartbreaking to hear about Roxie’s passing. You mentioned the need for tighter restrictions on fireworks. Why do you believe this is so crucial, especially in relation to animal welfare?
**Ben Supple:** Fireworks create significant fear and stress for not only pets but also livestock and zoo animals. The current regulations are insufficient in protecting these vulnerable creatures. We believe that by advocating for tighter guidelines and potentially banning sales to the public, we can prevent more tragedies like Roxie’s in the future.
**Interviewer:** Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has acknowledged the issue but pointed to the UK government as needing to take action. Do you think there’s a disconnect in responsibility here between local and national governance?
**Ben Supple:** Absolutely, there seems to be a lag in action at the national level. While local governments may express concern, it’s ultimately up to the wider government to enact significant changes. We need a cohesive approach to ensure that animal welfare is prioritized in policy decisions regarding fireworks.
**Interviewer:** This raises an important question for our readers: do you think the enjoyment of fireworks outweighs the distress they cause to animals? Should the government ban public sales of fireworks to better protect animals, or do you believe there’s a way to enjoy celebrations without compromising animal welfare? We invite our audience to share their thoughts and opinions on this matter.