banging and wildlife

Let’s just call it a New Year’s Eve bang, because it’s a problem we could all solve. The fine dust that is shot into the air is not necessary – there are other ways to celebrate. This bang and the powder dust affect our environment to a completely unnecessary extent. The dirt that later lies on our streets and paths is avoidable. And yes, noise is also “pollution”.

We are particularly concerned with wild animals. Without these creatures, our nature goes down the drain even faster, we have to be aware of that. More wildlife dies in the few hours of a single night than it does all year. Squirrels die in their dens, suffering heart failure from the bang. Deer and rabbits often run into cars, usually with a fatal outcome for them – but such an accident can also have fatal consequences for people. Through hours of frantic rushing, the animals also use up the energy they would urgently need to survive in the cold season. Bats are startled and can no longer find their way around. It goes on like this forever. And let’s all ask ourselves whether New Year’s Eve firecrackers are still up to date. In times like these, when gas, electricity and food prices are skyrocketing, does it make sense to waste your money on noise, dirt and the deaths of other living beings?
Many animals pay for this one hour of fun with lifelong damage. Wild animals run away in panic and die badly injured and in agony. Dogs and cats lose their homes, children cry for their furry friends. Old people lose their animal partner – often the only living thing they have left and that they care for.

This money is super invested in other things that we enjoy much longer: just buy food, food for birds, food for hedgehogs, food for stray cats. Everyone, really everyone has the opportunity to do something. Everyone has a creature on their doorstep that would be happy to have a helping hand.

Gabi Kaar, wildlife station Igelhof Aurachtal, Neukirchen near Altmünster