A Labour-led council has prohibited the use of fireworks over fears that they may leave two red pandas feeling “stressed”.
The City of Edinburgh Council has added more neighbourhoods to its “no-firework zone” following the death of a baby panda and its mother linked to last year’s Bonfire Night festivities.
The City of Edinburgh Council has added more neighbourhoods to its no-firework zone following the death of a baby panda and its mother
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Firework control zones (FCZs) were first introduced by the council last year in the areas of Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
Member’s of the council’s culture and communities committee voted to extend the restrictions on these areas for an additional two years and add fresh bans to Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone, Sighthill and Corstorphine.
The decision has been supported by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, who said that two red pandas at Edinburgh Zoo might have died from shock last year.
Roxie, the baby red panda, died after choking on her own vomit on November 5 and her mother, Ginger, died just five days prior.
The decision has been supported by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
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Zoologists have suggested that the pandas’ deaths could have been linked to stress induced from the loud fireworks in the surrounding areas of the zoo.
Edinburgh Zoo is located in the Corstorphine area, which has now been designated by the council as a FCZ.
Councillor Margaret Graham said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and these FCZs are part of our efforts to ensure that.
“The new FCZs being introduced are based on community requests and respond to real concerns around the safety of people and animals in these areas.
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The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland revealed how the pair of red pandas died
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“This is in addition to the FCZs first introduced last year, which we found had a really positive effect.
“This is just one tool for minimising the negative impact of fireworks at this time of year, and we’ll continue to work closely with partners to look at different ways of addressing the issue.”
Chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Ben Supple, said he was “very grateful” to the council for introducing the new measures.
He added: “Roxie sadly choked to death on her sick last Bonfire Night and it is very likely that this was due to stress from fireworks.
“The loud bangs would have been incredibly frightening for her and fireworks may have also contributed to the death of her mum Ginger five days earlier.
“Firework exclusion zones are an important step to protect animals in zoos, pets, horses, livestock and wildlife.
“We are also supporting calls from animal welfare charities to ban the sale of fireworks to the public, with only drone or light displays used at organised events.”
