Zoo farm has talks over fireworks after death of scared young zebra
ABRISTOL zoo farm has held discussions with organisers of large firework displays - after a young zebra died after reportedly being spooked by large bangs.
Eight-month-old Hope the zebra, who lived at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, died after being scared by large bangs from fireworks being let off in the local area in November.
The fright of the noise is believed to have caused Hope to bolt and hit the boundary of her enclosure.
A post mortem examination concluded the sudden impact caused her immediate death.
The zoo farm has now held talks with organisers of local fireworks displays to ensure a similar tragedy does not occur next year.
Zoo officials have asked organisers to consider relocating displays to further away from the farm and consider the use of silent, or lower decibel fireworks.
Managing Director of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Larry Bush said: “We have met with local organisers of fireworks displays and we are confident that appropriate changes will be made for next year’s fireworks night.”
The zoo farm is also urging people to be considerate if planning to use fireworks to celebrate New Year.
A spokesman for Noah’s Ark Zoo
Farm said: “This year, due to many organised events being cancelled, saw a large increase in the number of private firework displays in gardens which extended the normal firework season considerably.
“New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and we would like to get this important message out to the public that celebrating the coming New Year doesn’t need to cause severe distress to animals if alternatives such as silent fireworks are chosen.”
As part of its commitment to protecting its animals the zoo farm has also joined forces with animal charity the RSPCA to back its Bang Out of Order campaign.
The campaign raises awareness for animals both domestic and wild about the distressing effects of fireworks.
The drive aims to change the regulations on fireworks and calls for restriction to specific dates, reducing the decibels on fireworks, for the licensing of public displays to be licensed and for improved labelling on private fireworks boxes.
Hope was born at the start of the first lockdown in March and was so-called because keepers said she symbolised ‘a ray of hope in a bleak time’.
Anyone who wishes to support the RSPCA campaign can visit https:// www. rspca. org. uk/ getinvolved/campaign/fireworks.