Let wild animals fend for themselves
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/11/2021 (582 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
On my hikes, I have noticed that people leave things such as pumpkins, fruit and bird seed in parks for the wildlife.
Wondering about this, I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Janine Wilmot, a human wildlife coexistence biologist with the Government of Manitoba, who “recognizes that people do this with the best intentions to help the wildlife, however unfortunately this is not the best choice.”
Wilmot said there are negative impacts for both humans and the wildlife.
Wilmot said most conflicts reported to the province are because of people feeding wildlife. She asked that you “remember that you are a visitor to their natural habitat, and to respect the local inhabitants”.
Feeding wild animals unnatural food (that is, food not naturally found in their wild habitat) is not healthy for them. It can cause a chemical imbalance which can change the animal’s normal behaviour, disease, mouth and throat injuries or even death.
If wild animals become dependent on an artificial food source (such as humans feeding them) then they may become less able to survive on their own and will not pass important survival skills on to their young. They can also lose their natural fear of humans and pets, making them more likely to approach humans.
Animals that approach humans are likely to become aggressive because they know you have food. Humans who leave food behind for animals increase the likelihood of wild animals frequenting a location, making it dangerous for humans.
Wilmot said“any close encounter with wildlife is dangerous.” She also said that feeding wildlife can result in an abundance of a species, and thus too many animals in an area.
Wildlife congregate in high density at a feeding site, which is why hanging a birdfeeder at a park is not recommended. For example, all the birds at a feeder make a convenient buffet for a coyote.
Wilmot is excited that people want to help wildlife, and suggested that you “channel your positivity” in other ways, such as donating your food to a wildlife rehabilitation centre or animal shelter. Or donate your time or money to any organization that protects animal habitats.
There are other ways to use your food waste, such as composting or placing it in your leaf bag or yard waste bin on your City of Winnipeg collection day and it will be composted at Brady Landfill.
For more information, please read:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/ws_areyoufeedingwildlife_fs.pdf
Wendy Hrynkiw is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email her at wendyhrynkiw@shaw.ca
Wendy Hrynkiw
East Kildonan community correspondent
Wendy Hrynkiw is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email her at wendyhrynkiw@shaw.ca