### Baby Red Panda Dies from Bonfire Night Fireworks

Tragic news from Scotland reveals that pyrotechnics from the annual Bonfire Night celebrations have led to the death of a young red panda named Roxie. She was just three months old and died on November 5 after choking on vomit, which zookeepers believe was induced by the stress from loud explosions marking Guy Fawkes Day.

Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which owns Edinburgh Zoo, commented on the heart-wrenching incident. "Roxie had access to her den, but the frightening noises seem to have been too much for her. Very sadly, she choked on her vomit on Bonfire Night, and our vets believe this was probably a reaction to fireworks," Supple said.

Red pandas have a notoriously low survival rate, especially in their initial months. According to studies cited by the Toronto Zoo, up to 60% of these small mammals don't make it to their first birthday, even when they are born in captivity. This vulnerability was further underscored when Roxie's mother, Ginger, died just five days earlier. Despite receiving excellent care and showing signs of independence, Roxie did not survive the night. Supple suggested that stress from constant fireworks between Halloween and Guy Fawkes' Day could also have played a part in Ginger's death.

Concern over the distress caused by fireworks is not new, as pet owners often report their animals being scared during such events. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has long campaigned for stricter regulations, echoing the zoo’s call for a ban on fireworks sales, advocating instead for controlled public displays.

The issue has not gone unnoticed by the wider public. Over a million people have signed a petition pushing for tighter restrictions on fireworks, which was recently delivered to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office. This year's Bonfire Night in Edinburgh was particularly chaotic, with police reporting multiple instances of disorder. More than a dozen arrests were made for offenses including shooting fireworks at police officers and other antisocial behavior.

Scottish Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown noted that local authorities could ban fireworks in certain areas for the first time this year. She indicated that it is now up to the U.K. government to take further action.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament, expressed his concern, stating, "This is extremely sad news. These are rare and beautiful creatures. The scenes across Edinburgh over the last few weeks have been anarchic and troubling." He suggested that current regulations might need strengthening, potentially through a ban on noisy fireworks.