Edinburgh Zoo: Baby Red Panda Dies From Fireworks Stress, Sparking Calls for Tighter Restrictions

A baby red panda at Edinburgh Zoo named Roxie probably died because of stress from fireworks being let off in the city, experts claim. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has called for tighter restrictions on fireworks, following the death of the three-month-old cub on Bonfire Night last week.

Veterinary experts at the wildlife conservation charity, which runs the zoo, said a link between the death of the endangered animal and fireworks being let off across the city centre was “likely”.

The charity added it was possible that the death of its mother, Ginger, five days earlier might also be linked to the noise from fireworks.

Roxie’s death was revealed on Wednesday evening, a few days after the society had announced its birth to parents Bruce and Ginger, saying the cub was “doing well and … exploring as she becomes more confident”.

Fireworks and Animal Distress

Ben Supple, deputy chief executive at the society, said: “Roxie had recently lost her mum, Ginger, but was responding well to specialist care from our expert team and was feeding independently.

“Very sadly, she 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.

“We know that fireworks can cause stress to other animals in the zoo and we cannot rule out that they may have contributed to the untimely death of Roxie’s mother, Ginger, just five days earlier.”

In August, Edinburgh became the first Scottish council to vote for a ban on the use of fireworks in certain parts of the city around Bonfire Night. Anyone setting off a private firework during the restrictive period would be committing a criminal offence.

The move follows serious disorder in the Niddrie area last year, and support for a ban from community groups and animal welfare charities. The Scottish government gave local authorities new powers to designate firework control zones (FCZs) in 2022 following a riot in Dundee.

Calls for a Nationwide Ban

Supple intensified pressure on the UK and Scottish governments to tighten restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks due to the “fear and distress” they cause to pets, livestock and zoo animals.

“We support calls from animal welfare charities to ban the sale of fireworks to the public, with only light displays being permitted at organised events,” he said.

“This would help avoid devastating consequences for animals like Roxie while ensuring that people can still enjoy traditional celebrations.”

The call comes just days after Cammy Day, leader of Edinburgh city council, made a fresh call for an outright ban on the public sale of fireworks after mayhem again erupted around Bonfire Night. Police officers and fire crews were attacked with fireworks, bricks and bottles during disorder in parts of the capital, leaving some residents “terrified”.