Birds are the wildlife species most affected by the explosion of fireworks. Their hearing is 7 to 10 times more developed than that of humans, which makes it very common for them to become disoriented, collide, and abandon their nests, causing damage to their auditory system, leading to tachycardia and heart attacks that ultimately end their lives.
With the aim of raising awareness about the use of gunpowder and the effects it can have on wildlife and domestic animals, ProAves launches the campaign: “Gunpowder extinguishes their lives,” an initiative aimed at sensitizing the population about this issue.
This is a situation that should concern us, as birds in Colombia and around the world continue to disappear at an exponential rate. According to SEO/BirdLife, 49% of the 11,000 bird species worldwide are in decline, according to the data from the latest report analyzing the global situation of these species. The main threats they face include agricultural expansion, deforestation, the presence of invasive species, poaching, climate change, and urban development.
In addition to birds, domestic animals such as dogs and cats are also strongly affected by these intense noises, which disrupt their behavior, cause anxiety, and can lead to accidents, severe injuries, or even death.
On December 2, the day after the fireworks display, media outlets reported the effects this practice can have on biodiversity:
“One of the most severe cases was that of a hawk that was brought by the Envigado Fire Department to environmental authorities. The animal was in a complete state of shock, with stress lines on much of its feathers. There was also the case of a juvenile currucutú that, due to the loud explosions, flew disoriented into a house in Robledo. Additionally, three opossums were reported to have entered a house stunned in the Estadio neighborhood,” described Blu Radio.
Furthermore, one of the cases that most impacted social media was the behavior of Ara macaws in the city of Medellín, where: “The birds, visibly disturbed by the explosions of the fireworks, began to vocalize and disperse in all directions, revealing the severe impact that the massive use of fireworks has on local wildlife,” mentioned the website Minuto30.com.
At ProAves, we invite you to enjoy the Christmas festivities responsibly, without resorting to fireworks, and to promote a safer environment for our avifauna. It is time to choose ways of celebrating that do not involve suffering for the living beings around us.
You can support bird conservation from your home, be part of the solutions for the planet, and prevent species from becoming extinct.
Gunpowder extinguishes their lives!
