07/02/2025
What are the potential negative effects of FIREWORKS to wildlife?
We love fireworks too, but consider if you personally light off fireworks, what could happen around your home.
Fireworks and Disruption of Wildlife Patterns
Typically, animals adhere to familiar patterns within their environment.. However, on occasional days throughout the year, the night sky is disrupted by explosive sounds and multicolored flashes of light. While we may anticipate these events, wildlife do not. At best, this places stress on wildlife and, at worst, it can result in mortality.
One study demonstrated the negative impact of fireworks on geese
Migratory birds – including geese – are adversely impacted by fireworks
The sudden light and noise has the potential to startle many species, particularly nesting birds, which may cause the birds to fly into dangerous locations such as roadways, or even cause them to collide with trees or man made structures in the dark. While most studies and reports on how fireworks impact wildlife centers around birds, other species may be similarly affected by such disturbance.
A fireworks study conducted on geese in Europe on New Year’s Eve demonstrated that geese near developed areas were startled from their nesting sites by fireworks, resulting in sudden flight away from these areas, decreased sleep hours, and substantially more flight miles than they would have taken on nights without fireworks. But the impacts of these events were not isolated to the night of the firework event. According to the study, the geese “spent more time foraging and never returned to their original sleeping sites” (Kölzsch, 2022).
Another study in the Netherlands using an operational weather radar recorded that on New Year’s Eve, thousands of birds were startled into flight at and after midnight, with peak flight densities maintained for 45 minutes and at heights of 500 meters. The study also noted that the highest densities of birds startled into flight by the fireworks were over grasslands and wetlands, including nature conservation sites that these species use as refuge for rest and feeding (Shamoun-Baranes et al., 2011).
One catastrophic example of the impact fireworks can have on migratory birds came in the form of a massive red-wing blackbird die-off in Arkansas in 2010. Following a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, over 5,000 birds fell from the sky after colliding with obstacles. Reportedly, city residents said the event caused many to fear an apocalyptic event (Opar, 2011).
Chemical and Pollution Impact of Fireworks
As noted above, fireworks have an immediate impact on wildlife, but these impacts may last well after the event, in the form of chemicals and pollutants.
Fireworks are generally constructed from paper, plastic, and black powder. When they erupt, these materials do not dissolve harmlessly into the atmosphere. The paper and plastic casings and packaging fall back to the ground and are often not retrieved by spectators, resulting in widely distributed litter that pollutes a variety of wildlife habitats. Additionally, the explosion of these casing materials introduces microplastics to waterways, harming humans and wildlife alike (Han, 2023).
But the black powder itself – composed of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), sulfur, and charcoal – causes issues of its own. Traces of heavy metals including copper, lead, titanium, and strontium (USGS) have been found in fireworks, along with harmful toxins including ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide (NYU Langone Health). When made airborne, these chemicals find their way into the air and waterways.
Though studies have not been conducted on the impact of these chemicals on wildlife, these elements are thought to be as harmful to wildlife as they are to humans, particularly in causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Fire Hazards of Fireworks
Another threat to wildlife posed by fireworks lies in the name itself. Whether implemented correctly or incorrectly, fireworks by nature pose a risk of starting unintended fires on the landscape.
Whether by falling detritus still on fire, or direct and irresponsible use of fireworks, leaf litter and grass may ignite and fires may quickly grow out of control. These fires not only risk killing wildlife directly, they also destroy habitat and displace wildlife, and may force animals to flee into dangerous areas such as roadways.
Alternatives and Ethical Fireworks Handling
Drone light shows may have less negative impact on wildlife than fireworks
Drone light shows offer a lower-impact alternative to fireworks displays
To protect North Carolina wildlife and their habitats, we need to be mindful of when and how we use fireworks. The most effective way to reduce the disturbances and pollution caused by fireworks is to avoid using them entirely. However, opting for smaller firework displays instead of the larger scale shows can help mitigate negative effects.
Additionally, city and event planners may consider alternatives such as drone light shows to replace the use of fireworks. Since their inception in the early 2010’s, drone light shows have become increasingly popular due to their comparable safety and reduced environmental impact. These displays feature multiple unmanned aerial vehicles choreographed to fly in intricate patterns, creating shapes and figures that traditional fireworks cannot achieve. As their popularity grows, many companies now offer drone light shows for holiday celebrations, directly competing with traditional fireworks.
Considering alternatives to traditional fireworks shows presents a unique opportunity to exercise creativity around the expression of our holiday celebrations.
However, if you still intend to have a fireworks display of your own, remember to keep in mind the impact that it has on wildlife and the habitat. Take time to consider your location and ensure that you are not at risk of starting fires or disrupting any known wildlife in the area. After the event, remember to remove any litter left behind to diminish any potential impact to wildlife.
