A BABY zebra is believed to have died after she was spooked by fireworks.
Little Hope, just nine months-old, was born at the start of the first national lockdown back in March at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol.
But it's believed loud bangs from fireworks set off on the night of November 4 caused the young zebra to bolt, colliding with the barrier of her enclosure and killing her instantly.
A spokesperson for the zoo said staff and guests were "devastated" by her death.
Managing director Larry Bush said: "We’re feeling devastated by the loss of our young zebra Hope.
"She was so full of energy and life and she was a very healthy young zebra.
"It is such a tragedy that she has lost her life, seemingly as a result of fireworks being set off at nearby events which were intended as a celebration."
The baby was named Hope as the zoo struggled through a three-month closure after the PM ordered the shuttering of all non-essential businesses in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.
A Facebook post from the zoo reads: "She was named Hope by our keepers to symbolise a ray of light and hope at a time which felt so bleak.
ANIMALS AND FIREWORKS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
LAST year in October and November the RSPCA received 345 calls from worried pet owners about fireworks.
Here's how to help keep your animals safe.
DOGS
- Walk them during the day
- Close all windows and curtains to muffle the loud sounds
- Put on some calming music or TV
- Create a quiet space or “doggy haven” where your dog can feel in control
- Create some hiding spots in the house and leave their favourite toys for them to find
CATS
- Provide some hiding places in your home where they can feel safe
- Ensure they are safely inside for the night
- Microchip your cats in case they escape outside when they are frightened
HORSES & SMALL ANIMALS
- Partly cover outside cages and pens with blankets so a section is soundproofed and hidden, but there is still an area for animals to look out
- Provide bedding that small animals can burrow in to feel safe
- Consider bringing small animals indoors
- If you have a horse in a field, check to see if there are going to be any displays in your local area
- Try to tell the organisers of firework displays that horses are nearby and ask them to set off their fireworks in the opposite direction
- Follow further advice from the British Horse Society
"She became a symbol of positivity to our keepers and many of our visitors alike and she will be very much missed."
Heartbroken social media users flooded the comments with tributes to little Hope.
One person wrote: "What an unnecessary, premature passing of such a beautiful animal! So sorry to all that knew and cared for her and most of all Hope."
Another added: "This is so sad to read and unnecessary, fireworks are so much louder these days and there's no need, lots of animals suffer for someone's [five] minutes of fun, rip little one and stay safe all."
And another devastated comment reads: "How utterly heartbreaking, I believe fireworks should totally be banned, animals both wild and domestic should never be subjected to this, so many irresponsible thoughtless people."
Mr Bush explained while he understood the display was not intended to cause distress to to animals, Hope's death "does demonstrate in a tragic way the impact that fireworks can have on animals – whether this be zebras, horses, native wildlife or pets in our homes.”
And now staff are campaigning for a change in attitude.
A spokesperson said: "We are determined that something good comes out of this and so we feel it is so important that people are aware of what has happened.
"We hope people will change their views about fireworks and become much more aware of the impact they can have on animals.
"We would like to use this tragic event as an impetus for change and we really hope that people will now think hard and adopt alternative arrangements like silent fireworks or other more animal-friendly options for their bonfire night celebrations."
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