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Hundreds of birds have died after fireworks went off in Rome on New Year’s Eve, animal rights groups have claimed, calling it a “massacre.”
Video footage from the roads near the main train station in the Italian capital showed dozens of birds, mostly starlings, dead on the ground.
The reason was not certain, but the International Organization for the Protection of Animals said it seemed likely that the firecrackers and fireworks that exploded in the leafy neighborhood that many birds use to perch may have been the cause.
Fireworks explode in the sky next to the Colosseum in Rome
Loredana Diglio, a spokeswoman for the organization, said: “They may have died of fear. They can fly together and bump into each other, or hit windows or power lines. Let’s not forget that they can also die of heart attack.” . “
The fireworks display violated a ban by the city of Rome, which was widely ignored. The Italian capital had also imposed a 10 p.m. curfew as part of its virus restrictions.
The Italian branch of IOPA has called for the sale of firecrackers and fireworks for personal use to be banned, due to the threat to animals.
The RSPB says there is little evidence to suggest that fireworks harm wild birds, but says more research is needed to ensure the best course of action for their conservation.
The society advises: “To minimize any adverse impact of fireworks on birds, we urge fireworks display organizers to avoid launching rockets near sensitive wildlife areas, such as nature reserves and bird nesting and resting sites. wild “.
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