The death of over 1,000 finches roosting near a town in central Bulgaria has been attributed to the poorly regulated use of fireworks over New Year’s Eve.
Over 1,000 mountain finches have died in Bulgaria as a result of stress or wounds after New Year’s Eve firework celebrations in Bulgaria, the Green Balkans conservation organisation, which operates an emergency rescue centre in Stara Zagora, said on Friday.
The deaths occurred around the town of Koprivshtica in central Bulgaria, where this particular breed of finch, a protected one under Bulgaria’s Biodiversity Act, recently flocked.
“It’s a misfortune that this happened to hundreds of thousands of finches which currently winter around the town’s outskirts. That’s why the casualties are the highest there. We also have reports and photos from other places – individual birds, mostly songbirds – found dead after New Year’s Eve,” Green Balkans stated on Friday, after first warning about the number of dead birds on January 1.
A veterinary team, collaborating with medical students from the university in Stara Zagora, has treated 31 birds that have been found alive in the region.
In recent years, many ecological and animal welfare organisations have criticised the lack of clear regulations about the use of fireworks.
Calls from activists to limit the use of pyrotechnics in order to reduce the harm to vulnerable people and wildlife have seen some success.
Sofia mayor Vassil Terziev banned fireworks on New Years’ Eve specifically to protect wildlife. Instead, the capital welcomed 2025 with a light show. In December, certain pyrotechnic brands were prohibited from distribution over safety concerns.
The emergency centre for wild animals in Stara Zagora next to the Green Balkans organisation has been running for nearly three decades.
