Baby zebra dies after being startled by firework explosions at Bristol zoo

Hope with her mother at the zoo
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

“Devastated” zookeepers have revealed a young zebra died after being startled by fireworks shortly before Bonfire Night.

The seven-month-old zebra, named Hope by keepers after being born during lockdown, was frightened by loud explosions from the displays in Bristol on November 4.

Hope is thought to have bolted at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm smashing into the boundary fence of her enclosure.

A post-mortem examination later found that the sudden impact caused her immediate death.

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Keepers are urging people to adopt alternative arrangements, such as silent fireworks or other animal-friendly options, for their next celebration.

Larry Bush, managing director of the zoo, said: "We're feeling devastated by the loss of our young zebra Hope.

"She was so full of energy and life and she was a very healthy young zebra.

"It is such a tragedy that she has lost her life, seemingly as a result of fireworks being set off at nearby events which were intended as a celebration.

"We know this was not the intention of local organisers and people letting off fireworks but it does demonstrate in a tragic way the impact that fireworks can have on animals - whether this be zebras, horses, native wildlife or pets in our homes."

Hope was born at the start of the first lockdown in March and was given her name to symbolise a ray of light in a time that felt bleak, the zoo said.

Jayne Gibbins, a senior keeper at the zoo, said: "Her birth was a real high point for us in amongst the challenges of having to close the zoo for three months in support of the national lockdown and we are all feeling her loss greatly."

An official statement from bosses at the zoo added: "As a zoo, we are determined that something good comes out of this and so we feel it is so important that people are aware of what has happened.

"We hope people will change their views about fireworks and become much more aware of the impact they can have on animals.

"We would like to use this tragic event as an impetus for change and we really hope that people will now think hard and adopt alternative arrangements like silent fireworks or other more animal-friendly options for their bonfire night celebrations."

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