December began with numerous campaigns against gunpowder. The authorities seek to raise awareness about the figures of burned children and adults and recommendations so that domestic animals are not affected by the excessive use of this explosive material.
Unfortunately, the damage caused by fireworks in wildlife is forgotten, especially in birds, one of the most vulnerable animals.
Ana María Castaño, expert in Colombian forest engineering, explained to international media how these creatures suffer with the fireworks during the various celebrations of Christmas and New Year. The first impact for wildlife is noise.
Explosions scare wild animals much more than humans. They are never ready for an explosion,”
said Castaño.
Gunpowder is usually detonated at night, the resting time of most animals.
The reaction of many is to flee from the resting place and they do not consider it a safe place again,”
explained Castaño.
Unlike humans, wild animals have no mechanism to understand what is happening and this ultimately causes their death. Castaño added that birds are supremely sensitive to explosions.
Their heart rate increases to such an extent that they literally have heart attacks out of fear,”
explained the expert.
In addition, the contamination generated by gunpowder must be considered, both because of the material that is burned in the air, and because of the flying sticks that fall without control and become entangled in the trees.
Balloons loaded with fireworks can also cause fires in ecosystems, which end up putting vegetation at risk as well,”
concluded the Colombian.