People urged not to release sky lanterns to celebrate NHS

The Scottish SPCA said the lanterns can cause injury, suffering and death to animals.

Jenness Mitchell

16th Apr 2020

People have been urged not to set off sky lanterns in honour of key workers on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish SPCA is warning that the lanterns can cause injury, suffering and death to animals, as well as endangering the environment.

The call comes amid a campaign encouraging people to release lanterns in support of the workers.

The Scottish SPCA said animals have died in the past after swallowing fragments from the lanterns.

Birds have also been killed after becoming entangled.

The lanterns could also start fires when they land, endangering the wildlife and their habitats.

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 they 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.”