The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital are preparing for an influx of injured wildlife due to fireworks and have shared some helpful tips on what to do to prevent injury or to save an injured animal.
Johannesburg, South Africa (05 November 2020) – The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital treats indigenous wildlife free of charge, relying solely on the support of the community. Their Facebook page is the place to be! It is filled with heartwarming rescue stories of our stunning local wildlife.
They solely focus on smaller species of indigenous animals as there are not many organisations that work or specialise in smaller species.
Their latest post isn’t about any one particular rescue, but rather a warning to help prevent multiple rescues needing to take place in the near future. Guy Fawkes is happening this evening and it always causes great distress to wildlife. The wildlife vet shares how the fireworks will have an effect on wildlife as well as how to prevent any accidents involving wildlife.
“As Guy Fawkes approaches, please be mindful of the effects of fireworks on our precious wildlife!
Unexpected and unnatural loud sounds, like the bangs from fireworks, have an adverse effect not only on pets, but also on our urban wildlife. Causing fear and disorientating animals, they often try to flee, sometimes unable to find their nests/burrows/young again. Birds and other small mammal parents sometimes abandon their nests in fear of the loud noises, leaving their defenceless babies behind. Animals will exhibit unusual behaviour in an attempt to escape the noise, like entering into buildings, or birds flying into windows or into walls. Some are badly injured.
Please note: This is NOT the same as a thunderstorm with thunder and lightning. Animals know long in advance when a storm is approaching – they can hear much better than us and can sense the change in barometric pressure. Pets that are noise phobic often show signs of fear even before there are clouds visible.
Please note, the use of fireworks is regulated by bylaws under the Explosives Act, 1956. Fireworks may not be set off in any public place, for example, in parks, on the pavement or the streets. No fireworks should be set off, detonated or exploded within 200 metres of any hospital, clinic, petrol station, old-age home or nursing home, or animal welfare organisation or institution. The period in which the lighting of fireworks is allowed is from 7 pm to 10 pm.
HOW TO HELP:
- Remove/cover bird feeders and birdbaths before lighting fireworks, hopefully discouraging birds from being in the area and ensure that no ash, debris or other firework residue land in the feeders or water source.
- Do not use fireworks near trees, birdhouses, nesting areas, rockeries, or other sheltered areas where wildlife may be living.
- Clean up all firework residue promptly and thoroughly. The debris could contain toxic chemicals and other poisons that can harm animals that may ingest them.
If you come across any compromised wildlife, please contact us: 071 248 1514
We treat indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of our community.”
Below are the various payment options for the Wildlife Vet, they rely on donations so if you are able to, you can donate through the methods below.
Snapscan: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/PXMP5766
Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr… (For the USA and international-based donors)
Johannesburg Wildlife NPC
FNB Cheque account
Account nr: 62658400264
Branch code: 255355
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
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