Animal campaigners are calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks after a baby red panda died from stress related to the noise. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland believes the three-month-old red panda kit, Roxie, died due to stress caused by fireworks being let off across the city center. The tradition of setting off fireworks on and around Nov. 5 in the U.K. has been causing distress to animals for years. Roxie’s mother also died shortly before Roxie, and the organization believes fireworks noise may have played a role in her death as well.
A petition with over 1.1 million signatures calling for tighter rules on the sale of fireworks has been delivered to No. 10 Downing Street. Edinburgh City Council has already banned fireworks in some areas during a specific time period, and there are calls for a total ban on the sale of fireworks to the public except for licensed public events. The conservation charity RZSS supports these calls for a ban, believing it would help avoid devastating consequences for animals like Roxie while still allowing people to enjoy traditional celebrations.
The issue has sparked a debate between those who believe fireworks are an important part of British culture and those who are concerned about the impact on animals. Animal welfare charities are at the forefront of the campaign for a ban, citing the distress fireworks cause to a wide range of animals, not just in zoos but also in domestic settings. It remains to be seen whether the government will take action to address these concerns and potentially implement stricter regulations on the sale and use of fireworks in the future.
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