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Fireworks worry animal keepers
By Lynn Arave
Deseret News staff writer
The closing ceremonies to the Winter Olympic Games are still more than a week away, but Hogle Zoo officials are becoming increasingly concerned about potential noise from the state's largest-ever fireworks display, which will be featured in the event.
"It's the intensity and the duration," said Stacey Phillips, marketing and public relations manager for Hogle Zoo.
A "ring of fireworks" is part of the grand finale to the closing ceremonies on Sunday, Feb. 24. Fireworks will be launched from various points around the valley — including two sites in This Is the Place Heritage Park, only 850 feet from the zoo's border.
"The intensity of the loud sounds and bright explosions of light in the late evening could easily startle and scare animals," Phillips said.
Startled responses by some animals were already reported during a test firing of some fireworks in early January. However, Phillips said those tests lasted less than two minutes and used smaller shells than will be launched Feb. 24. She said plans include the launching of up to 24-inch shells every two seconds for a 3 1/2- to 5-minute program. Testing was limited to 3- to 12-inch shells.
Hogle Zoo is still working with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee in hopes the fireworks across the street might be stopped. However, if they aren't, Phillips said the zoo plans to take all the preventive measures it can.
Extra zoo and veterinary staff will be working the night of Feb. 24. Extra lighting, sound-proofing, background noise and "white noise" will also be used to lessen the shock of the explosions.
A spokeswoman said SLOC had no comment.
Zoo officials fear that the hoofed animals — giraffes, sheep, goats, etc. — will be most affected by the fireworks.
Phillips said it was encouraging when SLOC canceled its fireworks planned for the Bonneville Golf Course, to the zoo's south.
Hogle Zoo also isn't the only entity worried about the fireworks' potential effect on animals. Both Salt Lake County Animal Services and the Humane Society of Utah have voiced similar concerns.
"The simple fact is that most animals' sense of hearing is much more acute and sensitive than that of human beings," said Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society executive director.
In addition to the zoo animals, he's also concerned about livestock kept at This is the Place Heritage Park and pets belonging to residents in the areas near the fireworks.
"If pets aren't safely confined inside the home, they can leap fences, break leashes and dig out of yards," he said.
Temma Martin, media coordinator for Salt Lake Animal Services, said at least 20 percent of dogs have a phobic reaction to fireworks. She suggests putting all pets indoors during the fireworks displays.
Each summer after holiday fireworks, animal shelters report an increased number of stray animals who have gotten loose and run away. The Feb. 24 fireworks may cause a similar problem.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com
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February 13, 2002
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