LONDON — Zookeepers in Scotland have attributed the death of a young red panda named Roxie to the annual Bonfire Night festivities, which featured fireworks and explosions. The three-month-old panda passed away on November 5 after choking on her vomit, believed to stem from stress induced by the loud noises associated with Guy Fawkes Day celebrations, a historic event remembered for a thwarted plot in 1605 to blow up the British Parliament.

“Although Roxie had the option to retreat to her den, the frightening sounds proved overwhelming for her,” stated Ben Supple, the deputy chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the organization that owns Edinburgh Zoo. “Sadly, she choked on her vomit on Bonfire Night, and our veterinarians suspect this was likely a response to the fireworks.”

The red panda, which resembles a small cat and is known for its reddish fur and long, fluffy tail, is originally from the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. This species is protected in several countries, including India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, and Myanmar, yet it faces threats from habitat destruction, human interference, and poaching, with fewer than 10,000 individuals believed to be left in their natural habitat.

These tiny mammals often struggle for survival, particularly in their early months, with studies indicating a survival rate of only 40% for those born in captivity. The Toronto Zoo recently reported the death of one of two red panda infants born there in June, underscoring the fragility of the species.

Before the fireworks incident, Roxie, whose mother Ginger had recently passed away, was reportedly thriving, eating independently, and responding positively to her caretakers.

Pet owners across the nation are familiar with the anxiety that fireworks can induce in various animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has actively promoted stricter regulations surrounding fireworks. In light of this event, the zoo emphasized the need for stricter controls, advocating for a prohibition on private fireworks sales and emphasizing the importance of public displays.

A petition aimed at limiting fireworks has garnered over 1 million signatures and was presented to the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier this month.

In Edinburgh, local law enforcement noted a rise in disorderly conduct associated with Bonfire Night this year, with more than a dozen individuals arrested for offenses ranging from targeting police officers with fireworks to engaging in other antisocial behaviors.

Siobhian Brown, the Scottish community safety minister, highlighted that this year marked the first occasion in which local councils had the authority to impose restrictions on firework usage in certain neighborhoods. She indicated that the responsibility now lies with the U.K. government to take appropriate action.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament, remarked that the existing regulations have proven insufficient and suggested the possibility of banning noisy fireworks altogether. “This is a heartbreaking occurrence, as these animals are both rare and majestic,” he remarked. “The chaotic scenes witnessed in Edinburgh in recent weeks are disconcerting and warrant attention.”