CROW laments festive season firework effect on wildlife
The 2018 festive season failed to be a restful time for local wildlife and domestic pets in Montclair and surrounding areas, according to the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
The Yellowwood Park-based wildlife rehabilitation centre received a large number of orphaned, abandoned and injured animals due to the widespread use of fireworks during the festive season. An abandoned vervet monkey was admitted on Wednesday, 2 January after it was found alone in a warehouse. “We suspect that he was left behind by his troop in the panic and confusion from the noise pollution,” said Lana Bartholomew, CROW’s marketing and communications officer.
Bartholomew added that a few baby baboons at the rehabilitation centre were frightened by the fireworks, requiring the primate officer to sit with them for the duration of the fireworks displays. Many birds were also taken into the centre after they flew into objects and injured themselves, as well as baby birds that had fallen out of their nests.
“Firework displays may be beautiful and bring much joy, however, they have the opposite effect on our animals. While we can protect our pets by administering vet-approved calming medications and keeping them indoors, our wildlife remains utterly exposed. Many birds become disorientated and fly into trees, buildings or oncoming vehicles. Some baby animals, such as nesting birds and mammals, are abandoned as parents leave their nests or dens in search of safety, following the confusion created by the noise. Animals on the ground become panicked as a result of the loud explosions, flee into roads and are hit by passing vehicles. Others may run and find themselves stuck in fences and be badly cut while trying to free themselves,” explained Bartholomew.
READ: CROW calls for fireworks to be snuffed out
Animals on the ground become panicked as a result of the loud explosions, flee into roads and are hit by passing vehicles. Others may run and find themselves stuck in fences and be badly cut while trying to free themselves,” explained Bartholomew.
The centre’s clinic staff lovingly welcomed several species of wildlife affected by the fireworks including a vervet monkey, many bird species such as weavers, hadedas, black-capped bulbuls, sparrows, garden birds, birds of prey, as well as waterfowl., ensuring they remained calm and safe. CROW thanked those who abstained from using fireworks over the festive season and appeals to the public to keep wildlife and animals in mind during any planned, future celebrations.
“We are surrounded by beauty and for it to remain intact, we must nurture and care for it. Fireworks produce but a few minutes of joy and awe, but it may cause irrevocable damage to our ecosystem which future generations may not be able to take pleasure in,” said Bartholomew.
