- Protect wild animals during St. Martin's bonfires
- Animal-friendly alternatives to St. Martin's goose
The German Animal Welfare Federation is calling on people to be mindful of wild animals during traditional St. Martin's fires, as they may seek shelter in the branches and twigs piled up for the fire and often end up dying there. The association is also promoting plant-based alternatives to the goose dinner that is customary in many places – in keeping with the spirit of St. Martin, the feast of charity.
"St. Martin's fires are the highlight of the St. Martin's festival in many regions, but they can be deadly for animals. Hedgehogs, birds, mice, and other small mammals use piles of brushwood as hiding places or as quarters for their winter hibernation. To protect them from the dangers of fire, the fuel should only be piled up immediately before lighting, or the pile should be carefully rearranged beforehand. This allows the animals to be discovered in time or to flee themselves," says James Brückner, head of the wildlife department at the German Animal Welfare Federation.
ANIMAL-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES TO ROASTING A MARTIN'S GOOSE
St. Martin's Day is not only celebrated with lantern parades and bonfires. Roast goose is also often served. The fact that the animals have endured a long period of suffering is often forgotten. The majority of the geese come from farms in Poland, Hungary, or Czechia. The waterfowl usually live in crowded conditions without access to a water source. This makes it impossible for them to bathe, forage, or perform the important task of grooming their feathers. Most of the animals from intensive farming are bred for rapid, abnormal weight gain. This can result in bone deformities and pain. Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the geese come from foie gras production, which is cruel to animals and therefore banned in Germany. Cases of live plucking also occur time and again. Animal lovers can find animal-friendly recipes that offer tasty alternatives for St. Martin's Day on the website www.weiljedemahlzeitzählt.de of the German Animal Welfare Federation, among other places.
