A baby zebra born during lockdown has died after being spooked by a firework.
Zookeepers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, in Wraxall, Somerset, have said they believed a series of 'loud bangs' from local displays had given the zebra - named Hope - a fright and caused her to collide with the boundary of her paddock.
A post mortem ruled that she died immediately due to the sudden impact on 4 November, leaving staff at the zoo heartbroken.
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Hope was born at the start of the first lockdown back in March and was given her name as zookeepers thought she was a symbol hope in a bleak time.
The zoo now hopes people will realise the harm that fireworks can do.
A statement said: "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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Managing director Larry Bush added: "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.
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"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."
Poor Hope is not the only animal to tragically die after being scared by fireworks - pet owner Jen Bradshaw, from Wigan, was left devastated when her beloved rabbit Dash died in her arms on 5 November.
Taking to social media after one-year-old Dash died, Jen wrote: "This is the real impact of fireworks on frightened animals. Stop taking the p*** out of concerned owners and have some compassion.
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"I've got a dog cowering in his crate, another dog howling and shaking and a rabbit who has had two fits in my arms brought on by the bangs and died.
"This rabbit was hopping around the run at 4pm and now she's dead. Frightened to death of losing any of my others."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS