It’s lovely to observe wildlife in the wild, and feeding it seems like a fantastic way to interact with the environment. Sadly, intentionally feeding animals or leaving food or trash out in the open has many harmful effects. The directive “don’t feed the animals” refers to a rule that forbids artificially feeding wild or feral animals. This phrase is frequently shown on signs in zoos, circuses, animal theme parks, aquariums, national parks, parks, open areas, farms, and other locations where people interact with wildlife. In some circumstances, laws are in place to enforce such no-feeding rules. Animals that could be dangerous sometimes become overly accustomed to people after being fed. Animals can become a nuisance when they realise they can scavenge for food near your home or recreational facilities. Following are some of the reasons we should not feed wildlife:
Feeding unnatural food harms wildlife!
The nutrients present in the food that makes up the local wildlife’s specialized diet are not always present in human cuisine. Animals may experience developmental issues if the incorrect food is fed to them for even a little time. You can find the ingredients for a suitable diet online, but keep in mind that if you feed wildlife, they will come back, which can be dangerous and overpowering. Malnutrition and other health issues might result from eating human food. Granola bars and organic goods are included in this. The “angel wing” malformation in bread-fed ducks and geese is the most notable example of this.
Feeding Wildlife is a Health Risk to You!
Wild animals “spread the word” when they find a reliable food supply. They become unified when they come together in huge groups to forage. Because of the excessive crowding, which is abnormal for most animals, there may be fighting and injuries. This can consequently result in the spread of infections that can affect both people and their pets.
Animal Behaviour Changes!
If feeding results in behavioral changes in the wildlife, it may prove lethal. The steady supply of food may deter animals from moving when the weather is unfavorable and may cause unfavorable interactions between species that aren’t often in competition for food.. Furthermore it results in a dependency on humans for food. When hikers regularly feed animals, it changes the population dynamics and their behavior. Animals may go hungry when people are not around.
This Fosters Human Wildlife Conflict
When smaller creatures, like birds, are fed, larger mammals and predators are also drawn to the area. Animals that are fed can lose part of their innate dread of people and become acclimated to them. When bears, wolves, and cougars become habituated, it may lead to human-wildlife conflicts that require conservation officers to put the animals to sleep because relocation is frequently either impossible or ineffective. Young animals in the wild may become orphaned; in the best-case scenario, they will find up at a facility for wildlife rehabilitation.
Wildlife may lose their fear of humans if they realize that they will be fed and start acting aggressively toward hikers. Animals that have been fed may gnaw through tents and bags in search of food. They might also bother people’s pets. When bears, wolves, and other large creatures are involved, this can cause confrontations between people and nature and even deadly circumstances.
Urban wildlife may develop habits as a result of human negligence. Simple activities like utilizing wildlife-proof containers, keeping pet food inside, putting out your trash the morning of pick-up, collecting up fallen fruit from the ground, and not littering are all ways you can contribute. The unnecessary killing of wild animals and their progeny might, unfortunately, result from failing to take these easy precautions.
Why do some people disagree with something so obvious?
Some people disagree with these prohibitions, arguing that birds like pigeons can be a source of entertainment for those without friends or family and that the rules forbidding feeding animals in cities need to be changed. Pigeon feeding in cities is a common practice in numerous nations, including Greece. Concerns about how people interact with other living things in cities are raised by cultural opposition to feeding animals in cities and by-laws that forbid the practice. In some places, it has been promoted to feed animals in a sustainable way because, without human-supplied food in addition to their natural diet, some animals, particularly waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans, have suffered from malnutrition and are underweight.
Laws prohibiting feeding stray pigeons in cities have also drawn criticism from politicians. Feral pigeons have long lived in cities, but it wasn’t until lately that people in some nations began to view them as a nuisance and turned antagonistic toward them. In India, providing food to stray animals in urban areas is regarded as a great deed. Academics have expressed concern about the cultural shift from the 1800s, when wild city pigeons were seen as harmless, to the 2000s, when they were seen as unwanted in some nations. They claim that how humans treat animals is tied to how humans treat one another.
Conclusion
Many people adore being close to and observing animals. By remembering a few pieces of advice, you can aid in the conservation of wildlife. They include avoiding letting bird food collect on the ground; using a closed compost bin and avoiding putting food waste in gardens or compost bins; utilize trash cans made of sturdy plastic or metal with tight-fitting lids. Take pleasure in distant nature gazing. Remember that they are wild animals and should remain that way; give them space.
Help us Help Them! Think Wildlife Foundation is a non profit organization with various conservation initiatives. Our most prominent campaign is our Caring for Pari intiative. Pari is a rehabilitated elephant at the Wildlife SoS Hospital. 25% of the profits from our store are donated to the elephant hospital for Pari. Other than buying our wonderful merchandise, you could donate directly to our Caring For Pari fundraiser.
Written by Krishang Sikaria