Jane Healy, Auckland Zoo
For the safety and wellbeing of wildlife and other animals like much-loved pets, Auckland Zoo is appealing to the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau to not let off fireworks on or around this Guy Fawkes.
As it is spring, many bird species are at the height of breeding season. In your local neighbourhood you may have kererū, tūī, and pīwakawaka (fantail) nesting nearby.
Here at the Zoo, we have threatened endemic taonga species like whio (blue duck), pāteke (brown teal) and kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) that are in the middle of the nesting/breeding season as part of vital national recovery programmes.
Loud unpredictable fireworks explosions being let off night and day can cause wild birds to abandon nests. In addition to the potential physical danger to them, these loud noises are often terrifying for domestic, farm, and other Zoo animals we have, like elephants, lions, giraffe, and some of our primates, a number of whom have young offspring.
Through this long and difficult lockdown, many of us have seen the benefits of being out in nature and connecting with local wildlife for our own and our families health, wellbeing, and resilience – be that in surrounding streets, or at our local parks or beach.
“We encourage everyone to continue to enjoy and keep connecting to the wonderful nature around them. With so much new life, both animal and plant, warmer weather and lighter and longer evenings, spring is an awesome time to get out and notice and enjoy nature with your whānau,” says Dr Sarah Thomas, the Zoo’s Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement.
“We know most Aucklanders care about the safety and welfare of their own pets and also local wildlife. None of us want to see any animals so massively stressed and frightened that they injure themselves, abandon their babies, or even worse. Given this, we really hope our community will put wildlife first and rather than manufactured fireworks, perhaps check out nature’s own (silent) fireworks - our wondrous sparkly night sky!”
With Auckland Council, Local Government New Zealand, SPCA, SAFE, NZ Veterinary Association, Tūpuna Maunga Authority, our zoo colleagues at Wellington Zoo and others, Auckland Zoo is asking the Government to ban the public sale of fireworks for private use.
A ban would not only protect domestic animals throughout Aotearoa, but it would also keep people safe, protect our environment and eliminate fires caused by fireworks and their associated impacts and costs.
Dr Sarah Thomas, Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement at Auckland ZooWe know most Aucklanders care about the safety and welfare of their own pets and also local wildlife. None of us want to see any animals so massively stressed and frightened that they injure themselves, abandon their babies, or even worse.
“We’re not trying to be the fun police. We still believe there’s a place for carefully planned public displays that meet all safety requirements,” explains Sarah.
“Looking to the future, what we’d really love to see New Zealand adopt is the use of silent or drone fireworks for all public displays throughout the country.
“Silent or drone fireworks can be equally and if not more stunning. The great thing is, they don’t create the explosive noises that traditional fireworks do and are already being used with great success overseas in countries like Italy, China and the United Kingdom.”
