Manuela Bianchi We know that the desire to help them tempts you, but feeding wild animals is wrong, for several reasons. And this especially if we act with the best intentions, but without having basic knowledge
As the weather starts getting extreme during summer or at the height of winter, and with this, food might be in scarcity, some people think that the best idea is feeding wild animals. Unfortunately, their best of intentions and “love for animals” are just the grave mistakes these individuals commit.
Wildlife protection organizations and experts alike, such as veterinarians, have warned these wannabe benefactors time and again: do not feed the wild animals.
We know your intentions are good, and it’s your love for animals which drives you to do this, but you have to understand that by doing so you are not helping the animals; rather, you are most probably harming them.
Reasons why we should NOT feed wild animals
When wild animals show up or people are aware that wild animals are around their neighborhood, it automatically creates a concern for them to know if they will be able to sustain enough food. These kinds of concerns then make well-meaning people start placing food in these concern areas, thinking that they help such animals.
Of course, this act is actually damaging not only to the animals but also to the people and the ecosystem in general.
Here are some cogent, perhaps overlooked, reasons that explain why you should not feed every wild animal that comes your way:
- Feeding wild animals makes them too comfortable around humans but does not domesticate them. They remain wild animals. That fox, which may have grown to approach you just because you continue feeding it, can still have unpredictable reactions towards people or pets. This goes beyond meat-eaters. Think about the deer at Nara Park in Japan: they walk among people, cross roads, get up to be fed, and take food from the hands of guests. It all looks great, but they are wild animals that may all of a sudden behave strangely, get frightened or upset, and injure someone in their vicinity or themselves.
- We are risking the animals’ health in so many ways. Firstly, the comfort given to wild animals may bring them closer to peoples’ homes or roads; hence, putting them at a risk of being ran over or meeting individuals who despise animals. More so, the food we give them, in 99% of all cases, is not healthy for their consumption leading to serious illness and even death.
- What about human health? From mange to parasitic infections, wild animals can pass on diseases to us.
- We make them too dependent on us. The more we continue giving food to wild animals, the less they are interested in finding their own food. What will happen if for one reason or another we can’t give food? Perhaps we move, or run out of food for them, or simply change our minds and decide to direct our attention elsewhere. The animals, which by then have lost the habit of finding their own food, are lost, and it will be all our fault.
- This will also attract other animals. Feeding wild animals may leave food out that will attract other animals, including rodents such as rats and mice. It may also bring about too many animals gathering in one area, which is not good health-wise as outbreaks of diseases are transmitted without much difficulty due to overpopulation.
- Sometimes it is against the law. For example, the laws prohibit the feeding of some wild animals from gaining man-made food, such as wild boars and deer, because if they keep on receiving foods provided by humans, they become tame and may change their behavior to be too friendly with humans, get too close to human residences, or breed uncontrollably.
Where we ask you NOT to feed wild animals, it is not a whim or because we are cruel. It is because we try to use both our hearts and our heads, considering all the consequences of an action-not just the immediate gratification of certain needs.
Aid to wild animals in distress
The moment you notice some wild animal in distress, please don’t take matters into your hands unless you have the background and knowledge to do so appropriately. Unfortunately, “love” is not enough in these cases alone.
If you really want to help, write to the organizations and associations devoted to the protection of wild animals. They will be able to tell you the best behavior in such situations. If the animal has an injury, they will treat and rescue it.
Another way to help is through trying to learn either with the help of such organizations or taking particular courses on how to approach the wild animals properly and help them.
