New Year's Eve caution: Fireworks endanger animals on New Year's Eve!

New Year's Eve caution: Fireworks endanger animals on New Year's Eve!

December 31, 2025 is just around the corner and many people in Cologne are in the mood to celebrate again. Popping firecrackers and glowing rockets are as much a part of the New Year as toasting with champagne. But as people prepare for New Year's Eve, it's important to take a critical look at the impact of fireworks - especially on the helpless animals who suffer from the noise. According to [Frankenpost]. itself is allowed from December 29th to 31st.

But how big is the burden on our animal friends actually? This is where the animal rights activists come forward and issue urgent warnings. Demand for fireworks reached record levels in 2023, with over 42,400 tonnes imported into Germany between January and September - an increase of 62.6% compared to the previous year. The Nature and Animal Welfare Association of Hesse is therefore calling for a rethink regarding firecrackers. Hessenschau informs that ornithologists often record disturbed flocks of birds and empty resting places on January 1st, which indicates the massive effects of the fireworks.

The hidden costs of New Year's Eve joy

Klaus Hackländer, board member of the German Wildlife Foundation, describes New Year's Eve as a “catastrophe for animals”. The stressful and loud evening has immediate consequences: dead birds are often found after the celebrations after flying into walls in a panic. Hedgehogs wake up from their hibernation, deer and wild boars flee, endangering their valuable energy reserves. The Hesse Nature Conservation Association emphasizes that it is particularly important in winter to avoid unnecessary alarming of the animals in order not to endanger their chances of survival in the spring.

In the Alps, chamois are injured by falling from rocks, while in urban areas, dogs and cats tremble in fear. According to Stern, small animals such as great tits lose around 10% of their body weight on a normal night. This is an alarming number that can quantify the fate of many animals.

A rethink is required

The animal rights activists not only draw attention to the immediate consequences of the fireworks, but also emphasize that traditions can change. Alternative New Year rituals can enrich the celebrations without animals having to suffer. In Hesse, experiments are already underway with the establishment of firecracker ban zones in cities such as Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. The Netherlands is also planning a nationwide ban on firecrackers from 2026 – supported by 62% of the population.

The opportunity to start the new year without putting unnecessary strain on animals and nature is therefore in the hands of each individual. Animal rights activists are calling for a rethink and are offering numerous alternatives to celebrate New Year's Eve without the noise of the firecrackers disturbing the quiet night. The call is clear: Let's protect our animals without losing the joy of the celebration.