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Why sky lanterns are dangerous for animals and the countryside

Sky lanterns may look beautiful, but they can travel for miles – creating hidden dangers for farmed animals, wildlife and the environment. Here’s why choosing not to release them could make a bigger difference than you realise.

I have to admit, watching hundreds of sky lanterns drift into the night sky can be an incredible sight.

They often mark moments of celebration, remembrance and hope. But every time I see them, I can’t help thinking about where they’ll land.

I regularly visit farms and work with RSPCA Assured members who put animal welfare first.

I see first-hand the care and attention they give their animals, from providing safe, clean grazing to making sure feed is free from anything that could cause them harm.

That’s why, whenever I see sky lanterns released into the night sky, I don’t just see a beautiful display. I see potential risk to the animals and landscapes in its path.

Every year, an estimated 200,000 sky lanterns are released in the UK. It’s easy to forget about them once they’re out of sight, but they can end up in fields where cows and sheep graze, or in our rivers and seas – creating hidden dangers for animals and the environment.

What are sky lanterns?

Sky lanterns are essentially miniature hot air balloons.

Made from lightweight paper stretched over a wire or bamboo frame, they use a small open flame to heat the air inside, allowing them to float gently into the sky. They can reach heights of up to 1,000 metres.

While they may look beautiful as they drift overhead, the reality is that once a sky lantern has been released, no one can control where it ends up.

It might only burn for between 10 and 20 minutes, but carried by the wind, it can easily travel several miles before falling back to earth.

That’s when the problems begin. From contaminating livestock feed to causing devastating farm fires, a single sky lantern can continue putting animals at risk long after it’s disappeared from view.

Livestock can accidentally eat sky lanterns

Sky lanterns often land in fields where cows and sheep are grazing.

If animals swallow pieces of wire or splintered bamboo from a lantern’s frame, they can suffer serious internal injuries that may need veterinary treatment or, in the worst cases, prove fatal.

Feed can become contaminated

Sky lantern debris doesn’t always stay where it lands.

If it falls into grass that’s later harvested for silage or hay, sharp fragments can become mixed into animals’ feed. These tiny pieces can be almost impossible to spot, but still pose a significant risk to livestock.

Animals can become trapped

Sky lantern frames and string can also entangle livestock, wildlife and marine life, causing injury, distress and panic.

Sky lanterns are a serious fire risk

One of the greatest concerns is fire. If a sky lantern lands while the flame is still burning, it can ignite dry grass, crops, straw or even farm buildings. For farmers, this can have devastating consequences for both their animals and livelihoods.

Are biodegradable sky lanterns safer?

Unfortunately, no. Although some sky lanterns are made from bamboo frames and biodegradable paper, they still pose many of the same risks, including fire.

While bamboo degrades faster than plastic or metal, it can still remain in the environment for a long time and be harmful if eaten by grazing animals.

Are sky lanterns banned in the UK?

No, there isn’t currently a nationwide ban in the UK – but many organisations recognise the risks they pose:

In Wales, sky lantern releases have been banned on all council-owned land since February 2018

More than 170 local councils across England and Wales have introduced bans on council property

Organisations including the National Farmers' Union, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the RSPCA and the Marine Conservation Society have all called for stronger restrictions because of the risks to livestock, wildlife and the environment.

How you can help protect farmed animals

Most people who release sky lanterns never intend to harm animals. But once a lantern is in the air, its journey is outside of anyone’s control.

Choosing an alternative way to celebrate is a simple decision that could prevent injury, protect the countryside and spare farmed animals unnecessary suffering.

You can also:

Carefully pick up and dispose of any sky lantern debris you find when you’re out walking (take care not to hurt yourself)

Contact your local MP to encourage stronger restrictions on sky lanterns and support bans in your local area. See which councils have already banned sky lanterns

Support campaigns that call for stronger restrictions on sky lanterns.

If you care about improving the lives of farmed animals, choosing products with the RSPCA Assured label when you’re shopping for meat, fish, eggs and dairy is another simple way to support higher welfare.