Whether you’re walking through the park or hiking through the woods, most people would agree, wildlife is a beautiful sight. So beautiful in fact, that many times it’s irresistible for onlookers to drop a snack from their pack in hopes that the poor little things will pick it up when they leave. How do these magnificent creatures survive outside 365 days a year anyway? Surely, they didn’t make it here on their own, or did they? Well, historically speaking, an animal’s survival has depended on its ability to adapt and survive. So naturally, when humans feed wild animals, the animals will come back again for more. This is where the problem comes in.
Wild animals are just that, WILD! That means when you feed them, it’s interrupting their natural instinct to scavenge for food, often becoming dependent upon “handouts” instead. When wild animals are fed in one particular spot, say near a park bench, they will loiter around that same park bench hoping to get fed again. This may lead to the animal becoming a nuisance and its ultimate eradication. In addition to this, animals such as deer, fed near roadsides, may continue to linger near the roadside, anticipating their next meal. This is not only hazardous to the animal, but also to drivers who might be passing by.
Another aspect to consider is animal health. Human food often lacks essential nutrients that animals find naturally in the wild. Not only this, but human food and trash may lead to tooth decay, ulcers, and/or arthritis in animals. Feeding wild animals may lead to their aggressiveness. An animal that injures a human is likely to be sought out and eradicated. What’s more is, animals aren’t picky. Food packaging left behind or found in an open trashcan may look like a tasty treat and become lodged in an animal’s digestive system. To prevent a nuisance and protect ourselves and animals alike, keep trash in a closed bin with the lid shut.
Many people can relate to the troublesome goose population in Hampton Roads. Whether you’ve been chased through the parking lot by a goose, or had to deal with the “gifts” they leave behind, geese are a problem for us and our waterways. As you can imagine, goose feces— like dog feces—contains bacteria. So when it rains, all the feces gets washed into the nearest waterway – yuck! Here’s what you can do about it besides not feeding the geese… Keep the grass and plants around waterways high. Geese like to be in open areas where they can see their predators. If you leave the area around water more wild, then they will be discouraged from staying there. Pretty simple.
Finally, if all that weren’t enough to keep you from feeding wildlife, many localities have ordinances that make it illegal to feed wildlife. To check ordinances in your area, please contact your locality.
Article written by Zach Jones, City of Portsmouth, Stormwater Technician