Scottish SPCA warns the public about the dangers of sky lanterns
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The Scottish SPCA has urged the public not to set off sky lanterns over concerns over wildlife, farm animals and pets.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has spoken out about the dangers of sky lanterns and how they can have a devastating impact on animals.
In recent days, there have been calls to set off sky lanterns in a show of support for frontline workers, including the NHS, working through the coronavirus pandemic.
The Scottish SPCA knows of examples where farm animals have been injured or killed by swallowing fragments from sky lanterns.
The lanterns may start fires when they land, which can endanger wildlife and their habitats.
Birds can collide and get entangled with the lanterns, making it impossible to fly and killing them.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Sky lanterns put pets, wildlife and farm animals at risk of serious injury or even death.
“Lanterns may seem like a nice gesture and many people are likely unaware of the damage they can do.
"However, lanterns pose a serious threat to all sorts of animals and once they land they become litter.
"Animals can be caught up in the debris and get trapped.
"Even if the escape, these animals can get hurt in the process of doing so.
“Every single person in the Scottish SPCA fully supports the NHS and recognises the incredible effort they are making just now.
"We have so much respect and admiration for them.
“There’s lots of ways people can support our phenomenal NHS at the moment and we’d urge everyone to celebrate it in a way which poses less risk to animals and the environment.”
If anyone is concerned about an animal being injured by a sky lantern, they are being advised to phone the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
