THE dazzling displays on Bonfire Night are a highlight of autumn for many folk — but they have had a “devastating” impact on horses, livestock and zoo animals.
On average more than 100 horses are killed or injured every year, according to the British Horse Society, while the RSPCA say sheep and cattle regularly run onto busy roads during Guy Fawkes night.
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And November 5 is certainly a date that RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple and his staff dread every year.
He says: “Fireworks are always worrying whether you’re a pet owner, have livestock or look after horses — and it’s the same in the zoo environment.
“Our biggest concerns each year are for our giraffes, chimpanzees and our big cats, who can all get badly spooked by fireworks.
“And as all dog owners know there’s limited protection you’re able to provide even at home — fireworks cause huge distress to the animals and can have a devastating impact.”
The Zoo’s team of expert vets have developed coping mechanisms tailored to different species, including their most famous residents — the giant pandas Yang Guang and Tian Tian, who returned to China last December after 12 years in the capital.
Ben says: “Yang Guang used to curl himself up into a ball when he was frightened by the noise. We were able to help by keeping him indoors, adding extra polystyrene to their enclosure to dull the sound and put the radio on for him, but he was still scared.”
There’s limited protection you’re able to provide even at home — fireworks cause huge distress to the animals and can have a devastating impact
Ben Supple
But staff were left concerned when Roxie’s nine-year-old mum Ginger died suddenly on Halloween — the first night firework yobs went on the rampage in the capital.
An autopsy was inconclusive about her cause of death but with Guy Fawkes fast approaching it would mean that her kit wouldn’t have a mother for comfort.
Ben adds: “Roxie had recently lost her mum Ginger but was responding well to specialist care from our expert team and was feeding independently.
“Locking her in completely would have really stressed her out more and maybe stopped her eating altogether. When that happens kits will die.
“So we thought the best approach was to ensure that she was able to move about where she could go into her den and burrow herself into that deep bedding and be happy there.
“What we think has happened is that the fireworks have spooked her, caused a huge amount of stress to her and she’s effectively choked on her own sick.”
In an effort to tackle the disorder seen in recent years, the SNP Government brought in legislation to allow councils to set up fireworks control zones, including a complete ban on the use of pyrotechnics.
Edinburgh was the only local authority to use the new powers but we told last week how the worst mayhem was in the capital where hundreds of yobs ran riot launching fireworks, bricks and bottles.
Wheelie bins were also set ablaze and fires were started next to a petrol station, raising fears of a devastating explosion and around 30 cars were smashed up at a Macklin Motors showroom.
Despite the carnage John Swinney bizarrely hailed their Bonfire Night contingency plans a “success”.
Although well intended, [exclusion zones] are still ineffective for some of the animals at the zoo. A ban would have been needed across almost all of central Edinburgh
Ben Supple
However, Ben claims the exclusion zones were “ineffective” for the zoo animals as the low-frequency “bangs” travel long distances.
He says: “Although well intended, and will no doubt do some good, they are still ineffective for some of the animals at the zoo.
“A ban would have been needed across almost all of central Edinburgh, which would have been impractical.”
‘IT WAS TOO MUCH FOR HER’
AN adorable baby red panda was frightened to death on Bonfire Night – sparking demands from zoo chiefs for a ban on noisy fireworks.
Three-month-old kit Roxie “choked on her own vomit” before being discovered by handlers at Edinburgh Zoo the morning after Guy Fawkes.
Experts believe it “highly likely” she died due to stress caused by fireworks across the city.
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland deputy chief executive Ben Supple said: “Roxie very sadly choked on her vomit on bonfire night and our vets believe this was probably a reaction to fireworks.
“Roxie had access to her den but the frightening noises seem to have been too much for her.”
Live camera footage captured the moment Roxie had tried to escape from the unauthorised fireworks when she bolted from her den to scale a tree.
Finding no security up high, she descends rapidly where she then regurgitates her food and chokes – a common stress reflex in red pandas.
And Mr Supple insists experts had tried to come up with the best ways to help Roxie cope with bonfire night with no mother to comfort her.
Most experts maintain there are no safe fireworks for animals and that is why Edinburgh Zoo wants to see tighter restrictions on their sale and widespread use.
But Ben insists they are not trying to turn Bonfire Night into a damp squib every year.
He says: “We do feel displays should be limited to public events.
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“But with the advance of technology fireworks could easily be replaced with light shows and drones.
“This would ensure the public can still enjoy the traditional celebrations, but without causing huge distress to animals and help to avoid tragic consequences like the death of Roxie.”
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