Jardine joins Edinburgh Zoo in calls for firework restraint this Hogmanay

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has joined Edinburgh Zoo in calling for action to "minimise the distress caused" by letting off fireworks this Hogmanay following the death of an endangered red panda kit earlier this year.

Roxie was three months old when she choked to death on vomit on Bonfire Night amidst scenes of anti-social behaviour, and continuous noise surrounding the zoo.

She raised the issue in a recent debate on a petition signed by more than 50,000 people to control the use of fireworks, calling for greater availability of silent or noise-limited fireworks.

Christine Jardine MP said:

“The whole county has been touched by the death of baby red panda Roxie in the Zoo and it reinforces how dangerous the stress of fireworks night can be for all animals, many of them household pets.

“I share Edinburgh Zoo’s concern and would echo their call to do everything we can to minimise the distress caused to their animals, and all pets by fireworks in the forthcoming Hogmanay celebrations.

“More broadly we need the UK Government to look at legislating for quieter, indeed silent fireworks and for both the Scottish Government and our Councils to take a different attitude both to sales and noisy displays.”