The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has reported that Roxie, a red panda, likely died from stress induced by fireworks during the recent Bonfire Night celebrations in Edinburgh.

In response to Roxie's death, a petition advocating for stricter firework regulations has garnered over 1.1 million signatures, calling for limitations on noise levels and controlled sale dates.

Ben Supple, a representative from RZSS, has suggested that fireworks should only be permitted at organized events to mitigate animal distress.

Supple expressed concerns that while firework exclusion zones are a step in the right direction, they may not adequately protect zoo animals from noise, which can travel significant distances.

Edinburgh recently implemented control zone legislation from November 1-10, but unfortunately, these zones did not encompass the area surrounding the zoo.

Red pandas, classified as an endangered species, face numerous threats including habitat loss and poaching, with fewer than 10,000 remaining in the wild.

Following Roxie's passing, discussions are underway with the London government to explore potential actions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

He emphasized that to effectively safeguard the zoo's animals, an exclusion zone would need to cover a large portion of the city.

Animal welfare organizations, including the RSPCA, have echoed these concerns, reporting thousands of instances of animal distress linked to fireworks over the past three years.

The UK Department for Business and Trade has expressed condolences over Roxie's death and reiterated their commitment to public safety through a new fireworks safety campaign.

Tragically, studies indicate that around 60% of red panda infants do not survive their first year, making Roxie's death particularly poignant.

Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has called for a reassessment of current firework regulations, labeling the recent events in Edinburgh as troubling.