October 7, 2009

To Feed or Not to Feed Wildlife?

You may do more harm than good

The Humane Society of the United States

Whether in your own backyard, a local park, or while vacationing in a far-off locale, remember that feeding wild animals—no matter how cute or hungry they seem—can often result in more harm than good.

While coaxing a wild animal with tidbits may seem harmless, the long-term consequences of those actions are often disastrous—for both animals and people.

“People” food isn’t good for animals. Human foods are rarely nutritious enough for animals and may cause serious health problems—particularly when animals feed continually on bread, french fries, and popcorn.  Come to think of it, such diets are really not good for us, either.

Animals who learn that people are an easy food source often lose their natural fear of humans. Feeding that causes large, potentially dangerous animals to become accustomed to residential or recreational areas is of grave concern. Once wild animals learn that they can panhandle for human food, conflicts, nuisance behavior, and risks to human (and animal) safety will occur.

Feeding wildlife from or near vehicles is dangerous to animals, people, and property. Animals can be struck by moving vehicles or attempt to enter vehicles in search of food. In Yosemite National Park in 1998, over 1,100 vehicles were broken into by black bears—causing more than $630,000 in damages.

Wild Animals who depend on people for food can cause injuries or spread disease. Unnatural crowding and competition may result when wild animals gather for food handouts. Such unnatural conditions increase the incidence of fighting and injury among animals and may increase the spread of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to pets and humans.

Does this mean backyard bird and squirrel feeding is wrong? No. We oppose feeding wildlife when there is reason to believe the animals may come to harm. Feeding birds and squirrels generally does not fit into this category, but there are times when feeding can be cut back.  For example, during warmer months, when natural food is available, it’s usually best to reduce the amount of feed you make available or put off feeding altogether.

If you do provide feed for backyard wildlife—at any time of the year—remember that it’s also important to maintain safe, clean feeders to prevent the spread of disease.

More tips

• Do not feed pets outside at night to prevent midnight raids by your wild neighbors.
• Don’t touch wild animals. For information on identifying orphaned and injured wildlife, read "Found an Injured or Orphaned Animal?” 
• When visiting parks and similar settings, follow the rules regarding wildlife. Encourage others to do the same.
• Rinse all recyclable glass and plastic containers to remove any food remnants and odors. Some animals, like skunks, are unable to get containers off their head and wind up starving to death. Cut and or crush plastic containers. Cut each ring of plastic six-pack carriers.
• Make sure plastic food wrap is rinsed and secured in a tied bag or securely covered garbage can. 

Create a sanctuary

Enjoy the company of your wild neighbors in your yard. Every day, more and more wildlife habitat is lost to the spread of development. But you can help wild animals in urban and suburban areas by offering them sanctuary in your own backyard (or front yard, roof-top garden, or deck), no matter how small. Learn how to make your green space an Urban Wildlife Sanctuary.