Firework Displays yes or no

[adrian1963]

I maybe slightly off on this so please bare with me
With the stress that is caused to most animal species by large flashes and loud noises why do certain collections carry on with their firework displays surely this causes stress to the species they are keeping in their collections
Do you think that firework displays are a good idea or are they just another way of fleecing the paying public so the zoo/park can make money or do they really know what they are doing to the animals within their collection?

I feel that any animal collection should really not have a firework display close to their collection just maybe a bone fire a short distance away so the animals are not worried or stressed out by the once a year festivities I know some collections are short of funds in these economic times but really if we believe that we are to keep our pets indoors and well away from fireworks then surely zoos/parks should do the same.

Would you have a bone fire with loud and bright (in the night) firework explosions near an aviary/enclosure of a rare animal if you were in charge of the collection?


My answer is NO

 

[Maguari]

Most UK zoos that have fireworks have 'bangless' fireworks - pretty colours but no sound. These are far less stressful for animals (in fact they probably involve no more stress than a normal day's visitors do anyway!).

In fact, I'd be surprised if you can find any zoos that do the full 'bangful' fireworks these days.

*waits to be proved wrong*

 

[zoogiraffe]

I'm with Maguari on this one.

 

[Jabiru96]

Taronga Zoo can't help but having fireworks displays on New Year's Eve as it is located on the harbour where the major fireworks of Sydney happen.

I know that one of their chimps Lulu (the eldest in the group) occasionally (every time?) stays outside rather than goes into the night-time quarters to watch the fireowrks.

 

[OrangePerson]

I feel that any animal collection should really not have a firework display close to their collection just maybe a bone fire a short distance away

I was puzzled briefly about the concept of zoos having bone fires! Deceased animals? Carnivore leftovers?

 

[Shorts]

Do you think that firework displays are a good idea or are they just another way of fleecing the paying public so the zoo/park can make money or do they really know what they are doing to the animals within their collection?

Just because a zoo charges a fee for an event doesn't mean they're "fleecing" the public anymore than a restaurant charging for food is fleecing it's customers. They're both economic entities doing what they think's best to survive and no-one has to buy what's on offer if they don't want to.

I'm sure the collections know what they're doing. As Maguari points out I'd imagine they use largely, if not entirely, bangerless fireworks and those animals likely to be distressed will be safely locked away -some may even find it an enrichment).

The zoos are unlikely to do anything that risks the wellbeing of animals (I'm sure they'll have plenty of meetings to debate the situation before they go ahead) as any financial advantage would be outweighed by veterinary bills, lost animals which may be difficult to replace and potential bad publicity.

 

[IanRRobinson]

Just because a zoo charges a fee for an event doesn't mean they're "fleecing" the public anymore than a restaurant charging for food is fleecing it's customers. They're both economic entities doing what they think's best to survive and no-one has to buy what's on offer if they don't want to.

I'm sure the collections know what they're doing. As Maguari points out I'd imagine they use largely, if not entirely, bangerless fireworks and those animals likely to be distressed will be safely locked away -some may even find it an enrichment).

The zoos are unlikely to do anything that risks the wellbeing of animals (I'm sure they'll have plenty of meetings to debate the situation before they go ahead) as any financial advantage would be outweighed by veterinary bills, lost animals which may be difficult to replace and potential bad publicity.

I don't know if the animals at London Zoo get bothered by the fireworks displays on Primrose Hill, the other side of the road from the North Gate. Does anyone have any anecdotes, one way or the other?

 

[Javan Rhino]

It is a good point that, what about zoos in residential areas (Chester in Upton being an example) where neighbours may have bonfires and fireworks? Does this stress the animals, and do zoos ask nearby residents not to hold private parties on bonfire night?

 

[Hix]

Taronga Zoo can't help but having fireworks displays on New Year's Eve as it is located on the harbour where the major fireworks of Sydney happen.

I know that one of their chimps Lulu (the eldest in the group) occasionally (every time?) stays outside rather than goes into the night-time quarters to watch the fireowrks.

The other chimps usually climb to the top of their night accomodation and look out the window to watch the fireworks. Same for Australia Day.



Hix

 

[SMR]

It is a good point that, what about zoos in residential areas (Chester in Upton being an example) where neighbours may have bonfires and fireworks? Does this stress the animals, and do zoos ask nearby residents not to hold private parties on bonfire night?

Chester's main fireworks display is organised by the Lions Club and for many years was held in one of the fields on Caughall Road, right next to the zoo. As the zoo owned the field, if it had disturbed the animals I'm sure they'd have put a stop to it.

The fireworks display itself moved to the racecourse in about 1995, and that was only made possible as the nearby Royal Infirmary had closed. Rather ironically, previously the bangs were thought to be too much of a disturbance for patients.

Those familiar with the history of Belle Vue will recall that they held nightly firework battles, basically recreations of moments in history complete with large scale models. They were held on the island in the lake, which was right next to the monkey and ape accommodation.

 

[karoocheetah]

I actually had this conversation last year with a few of the keepers from Chester Zoo and they all said that they had not noticed any distress to the animals caused during the bonfire night celebrations - I do think that the larger displays are far enough away now not to cause distress if they were going to but there are lots of residents around the zoo that could potentially have private displays that are much closer and like the staff I spoke to said they don't seem to pose a problem.

As for displays on zoo grounds - I'd like to think that all zoos would put the welfare of their animals over one nights monetary gain, no matter how great, and if I felt they weren't doing that I wouldn't support the event, you can always vote with your feet people, sometimes making a private stance is the only stance we have!?

 

[Zooish]

The most commercial "zoo" in the world - Disney's Animal Kingdom - frowns on fireworks displays on its grounds (it is the only Disney park to not have fireworks displays). Says a lot.

 

[FBBird]

Firework displays

Re Bellevue; I'm sure I remember reading of a baboon [or was it a Mandrill?] who used to pull a chair up to the front of his cage and watch the fireworks.

 

[zooboy28]

Fireworks at Western Springs stadium, located adjacent to Auckland Zoo, NZ, caused a young male giraffe (Lo Cecil) to run into a fence and collapse, breaking/damaging neck vertebrae in November 1981. Despite attempts to save him, he was put down three days later. Zoo staff had been concerned about the effects of the fireworks on the giraffes, and were unsure whether they should be kept in the house or open paddock, both of which could be dangerous to a panicked giraffe. It was finally decided to keep hte giraffes in the house, but with access to an adjoining holding pen. Zoo staff were on site throughout the fireworks, although not present when Lo Cecil panicked. All explosive fireworks were subsequently banned from Western Springs.

Until last night, that is, when the promoters of Western Springs secured permission from the Auckland Council (who own the zoo), and included a fireworks display (which was very good - extremely loud at points though) at the conclusion of the nights speedway racing. I don't know what effects, if any, this had on the zoo's giraffes and other animals, nor what precautions the staff took. There have been no news or facebook reports regarding the zoo and/or fireworks today, so hopefully all is well.

 

[Cat-Man]

The most commercial "zoo" in the world - Disney's Animal Kingdom - frowns on fireworks displays on its grounds (it is the only Disney park to not have fireworks displays). Says a lot.

Beat me too it. They also organise there new year celibration at least 2 miles away from the park to minimise stress for the animals in the park. There was talk of adding a disney lightshow - a fireworkless - show in the lake area that is currently on exhibit at Disney's California Adventure in, well, California. But they decided against it as they did not want to remove the large amounts of vegitation that gives the park its immersive feel.

 

[kiang]

Well i have to say if all displays were like the one i witnessed on Friday night, then that would please a lot of folk.

gone in 120 seconds, £6000's worth.

 

[Maguari]

I saw that yesterday (someone linked to it from Twitter).

What a cosmic balls-up!

 

[Rookeyper]

Our zoo is located in a public park and people sometimes elect to hold their own shows near the kangaroo yard. We haven't had any fatalities but one female slipped in mud several years ago and "exploded" her knee. the vet was able to patch her up and she did well for many years. Another incident was when the local Philharmonic orchestra decided to perform the 1812 Overture at an open-air theater in the park, complete with howitzers for sound effects. Although they were supposed to hold a practice while zoo staff was around, this didn't happen. Next morning I found emus in the Tasmanian devil yard--fortunately the devils were inside. One of the emus was pretty scratched up as it had gone over a few fences to relocate. It refused food for several days. From that time forward I watched for announcements of this event and stopped it each time. After a few years they moved to another venue several miles away.