The Tatra National Park appeals not to light fireworks on New Year's Eve. This is especially dangerous for wild animals living in the Tatra Mountains. Last year, a group of tourists fired flares in the Valley of Five Polish Ponds.
– We reiterate our appeal not to shoot fireworks. This definitely has an adverse effect on nature, especially on animals that suffer from the noise of firecrackers – it causes them stress, fear and panic escapes. Let us remember that animals have much more sensitive hearing than humans, which is why they react very strongly to the noise of fireworks – said Tomasz Zając from TPN.
The appeal of the authorities of the Tatra National Park applies both to tourists who decide to welcome the New Year on the peaks, and to New Year's Eve people celebrating in Zakopane. In previous years, naturalists observed bears woken up by the sound of firecrackers and deer running away from gunshots. The most dramatic effect of firecrackers occurred in the Slovak part Tatra Mountains a few years ago, where the escape of chamois scared by gunshots resulted in the fall and death of several individuals.
– Panic escape for animals means large losses of energy, and this may be crucial to surviving the next few frosty days – noted Zając.
Read also: For them, “the world explodes without warning.” How to take care of animals on New Year's Eve
Fireworks banned in the national park
In the Tatra National Park in winter, there is no ban on wandering after dark. However, tourists who want to welcome the New Year on the peaks must remember to follow the rules of the national park, and making any noise is prohibited here. – Fireworks are absolutely prohibited in the national park. This seems obvious, but in recent years it was not respected by tourists. Last year, a group of tourists fired flares in the Valley of Five Polish Ponds – recalled the naturalist.
TPN campaign “Don't shoot on New Year's Eve!” has been organized for several years. Every year before New Year's Eve, as part of this campaign, a poster is created showing animals scared by the noise of firecrackers. In Zakopane, the use of pyrotechnic materials is prohibited all year round in urban areas: streets, squares and open spaces. However, this ban does not apply to private properties.
Main photo source: PAP/Grzegorz Momot