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 stricter regulations on fireworks improve animal welfare during cultural celebrations?
**Interview with Ben Supple, Deputy Head of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ben. It’s tragic to hear about the loss of panda cub Roxie. Can you tell us more about how fireworks may have contributed to her death?
**Ben Supple:** Certainly. On Guy Fawkes Night, we witnessed Roxie choking on her vomit, which our veterinary team believes could have been a stress reaction to the fireworks. This came right after her losing her mother, Ginger, and the stress would have been compounded by the loud noises from the celebrations.
**Interviewer:** You’ve called for stricter regulation of fireworks in light of this incident. What specific changes do you think need to be made?
**Ben Supple:** We are advocating for the Scottish and UK governments to tighten the regulations surrounding the sale and use of fireworks, potentially even banning their sales to the public altogether. Our concern is not just for zoo animals, but for pets and livestock too, who often suffer significantly during these events.
**Interviewer:** Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown has acknowledged the stress fireworks cause to animals. What steps do you hope will be taken following your advocacy?
**Ben Supple:** It’s encouraging that Minister Brown recognizes the issue. We hope this will lead to discussions at the government level that focus on tighter controls over fireworks. The goal would be to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals during these celebrations.
**Interviewer:** Some might argue that fireworks are part of cultural celebrations, and banning them could be seen as an overreach. What do you say to those concerns?
**Ben Supple:** I understand that perspective, but we must find a balance between cultural traditions and the welfare of animals. Just like we adjust our practices to ensure human safety, it’s time we consider the impact of our celebrations on all living beings.
**Interviewer:** That raises an interesting question for our viewers: Should cultural celebrations involving fireworks be reconsidered in light of animal welfare concerns? What are your thoughts on balancing tradition with the safety of our animals?
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This prompt for discussion allows readers to engage with the topic from multiple angles, considering both the importance of cultural practices and the pressing need for animal welfare.