ZSTT President supports ban on fireworks

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President of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ZSTT) Gupte Lutchmedial says he is supportive of the view by Minister Stuart Young, citizens and many other organisations that fireworks should not be sold to members of the public.

Mr Lutchmedial says the ZSTT has consistently said that fireworks should be banned as they are dangerous and can be lethal to animals and vulnerable persons in society. He added “Every year, especially during the Independence Day fireworks display, the Emperor Valley Zoo has had to invest in measures to mitigate the extreme distress to our animals.”

The following is a press release from the ZSTT:

As President of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ZSTT), we have been consistent in our view that fireworks should be banned as they are dangerous and can be lethal to animals and vulnerable persons in society. The 2019 incident of the death of our Kangaroo, “Joey” as a result of trauma he experienced from explosive noises set off by the Independence Day fireworks display at the Queen’s Park Savannah is well known to the public.

While this reignited the debate on fireworks and there was much support for our call to ban fireworks, this eventually lost steam. During the intervening period, the ZSTT would have received support from Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Hon.

Clarence Rambharat on animal welfare issues with provisions made in the revised Animal Production and Health legislation, This, however, could not address the fireworks issue directly and it is therefore heartening to see draft legislation to regulate and manage fireworks out for public comment. However, the ZSTT is recommending stronger measures that what is proposed and once again calls for a complete ban on these noise-making fireworks.

In this regard, the ZSTT is supportive of the public view expressed by Minister Stuart Young, supported by many organisations and citizens that we should not have fireworks sold to members of the public. The fireworks debate is not isolated to Trinidad and Tobago and the ZSTT draws the attention of the public to alternatives being promoted in other countries.

Many countries are now using drones and noiseless fireworks to pull off equally spectacular displays. It is time for Trinidad and Tobago to ensure that the welfare of its citizens and animals is foremost

CNC3 Editor
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