On the human calendar, Thirty-First Night means celebrating on the threshold of the new, a festival of light, sound and colour. But under the city sky, on tree branches, beside drains, in the corners of rooftops and in open fields, another silent calendar runs, the one birds and many kinds of animals live by. There the day does not change with the glow of fireworks; it changes with fear and confusion. On that calendar, Thirty-First Night is written in the letters of an unfamiliar terror.

To welcome the last night of the year, people revel in fireworks, loud music, firecrackers, shouting and parties. But besides people there are countless birds and animals on this earth whose lives and feelings we rarely think about. For them Thirty-First Night is no festival; it is a terrifying night.

Birds panic at even small changes in sound, light and surroundings. When fireworks suddenly explode across the sky with a deafening noise, their sleep is broken. Disoriented in the darkness, they fly about in a panic, crash into trees, power lines or buildings, and are injured; many die. Many birds also abandon their nests, leaving their chicks alone. If the mother bird cannot return, the chicks die of cold and hunger.

It is not only birds. Domestic and wild animals also come under severe stress on this night. Dogs make the point clearest: their hearing is far sharper than ours, and the blast of firecrackers hits their ears like a thunderclap. Many dogs tremble with fear, hide, stop eating and sometimes run away.

Cats likewise panic at the explosions and hide somewhere; sometimes they are so frightened they fall ill. Domestic animals such as cows, goats and horses become restless at the sound of fireworks, try to snap their ropes and escape, and injure themselves. Yet these animals are our silent companions, closely tied to our food and livelihoods.

Wild animals fare even worse. Deer, foxes, monkeys, snakes and other animals living in forests or parks around the city run about in fear of the noise. They are often hit while crossing roads. Some are forced to leave their area altogether, which seriously affects their food and safety. The smoke from fireworks also pollutes the environment, with long-term effects on animals.

Intern veterinarian Md Rajibul Islam spoke to Jagonews about the safety of birds and animals. "We know entertainment is part of our lives. But some excessive entertainment is a threat to animals and birds, and fireworks on Thirty-First Night are among them. They are seriously harmful to animals and birds," he said.

The harm caused by fireworks is set out below:

• Eye damage: the intense light of fireworks can cause temporary or permanent damage to the eyes of animals and birds. The retinas of cats, birds and pigeons in particular can be damaged, and birds dazzled by the light can fly off course and have accidents.
• Loud noise is the most dangerous: animals' and birds' hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Sudden loud noise causes extreme fear and stress, raising the heart rate and causing abnormal behaviour, and in many cases can even cause miscarriage (in cows, goats, dogs, cats and others).
• Breathing problems from smoke and gas: fireworks contain sulphur, nitrate (NO2) and various heavy metals, which seriously affect the respiratory system, causing asthma and lung problems. Small pets, especially caged birds, can even die.
• Direct physical harm: fireworks can burn animals' and birds' feet and feathers and cause serious injuries. Animals that eat the remains of firecrackers can also be poisoned and sometimes die.

People love to celebrate, but we must make sure that joy does not cause animals suffering. Let the new year bring a message of peace and safety for all birds and animals as well as people; let that be our pledge.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.