The Bavarian Forest National Park Administration has asked visitors not to use fireworks in the national park on New Year’s Eve – to protect the animals. The Bavarian Forest around the Falkenstein, Rachel and Lusen mountains is a popular place to celebrate the turn of the year.
However, rockets and firecrackers put many animal species under stress. Many animal species that are sensitive to disturbance, such as the endangered capercaillie, live especially in the high altitudes around the mountain peaks. The light and loud bangs of fireworks would cause the birds to flee in panic, according to the park administration.
Since capercaillie quickly lose energy at low temperatures, this is often a death sentence for the animals. That’s why the national park administration asks park visitors and residents to be considerate of nature – and also to dispose of their New Year’s waste.