Baby zebra born during lockdown dies after getting 'spooked' by firework display

The baby zebra was named Hope as a symbol of 'light and hope at a time which felt so bleak'. Photo / Supplied

A zebra foal born at the beginning of lockdown in the UK in March died after being frightened by fireworks, zookeepers say.

The baby zebra named Hope crashed into the fence of her enclosure at Noah's Ark Farm Zoo near Bristol last week, according to Metro UK.

The zoo said loud noises from firework displays seem to have frightened her and caused her to bolt and smash into the wall.

A post-mortem showed the sudden impact caused immediate death.

The zookeepers named her Hope to "symbolise a ray of light and hope at a time which felt so bleak".

The zoo's managing director Larry Bush said they were "devastated", saying she was "full of energy and life and she was a very healthy young zebra".

"It's such a tragedy that she has lost her life, seemingly as a result of fireworks being set off at nearby events which were intended as a celebration."

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Meet Hope! 🦓 Our newest stripy #baby. Born during this difficult time, we think she is a symbol,vthat we can all make it through all this uncertainty. Hope and her Mum, Polly are doing well and living with the rest of our #dazzle of #zebra 🖤🤍 #zoobaby #babyzebra #zoo #hope

A post shared by Noah's Ark Zoo (@noahsarkzoobristol) on Mar 27, 2020 at 6:36am PDT

And senior keeper Jayne Gibbins said her birth was a "real high point amongst the challenges of having to close the zoo for three months in support of the national lockdown and we are all feeling her loss greatly".

The zoo hopes her death becomes an "impetus for change' to raise awareness about the impact firework displays can have on animals.

Bush added: "We know this was not the intention of local organisers and people letting off fireworks but it does demonstrate in a tragic way the impact that fireworks can have on animals whether this be zebras, horses, native wildlife or pets in our homes."