PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Putting don't feed the animals in perspective

elchivito · #8 08-27-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link

Having lived in a wilderness area for well over 10 years I only know from my own experiences where I have not seen any sense of dependency upon wildlife that is fed occasionally or regularly.

I agree that most creatures will opt for the easy meal but that doesn’t imply or suggest they don’t know how to feed themselves otherwise. A real dependence requires that the animals know of no other way of feeding themselves and they depend on the hand out.

As an example, some near me feed a deer population regularly, but not only does this not stop the deer from feeding on their traditional sources of food, but during late spring through autumn, they usually won’t touch the offered food (alfalfa or hay) that is placed in a location known to the deer, as deer prefer fresh grasses and related food instead.

I know of several who use bird feeders seasonally, because most birds here go to different locations when the conditions change. We have pretty severe winters with lots of snow. Anywho, the birds aren’t dependent but do go for the easy meal.

In contrast, an animal that is raised in a home or lab, who knows of no other source for food is dependent, and represents a different set of circumstances than described here.

Due to this, I think the alleged NPS statement is BS intended for little but to protect the NPS from litigation, and people from being chewed.

I agree that applying the comment made by the OP to humans is a stretch designed to offend.

Such a statement has not been proven to have been issued by the Park Service.
On the other hand, my experience with wildlife, which is lifelong, is different from yours. Feeding wildlife interferes with natural population fluctuations as it allows for a higher survival rate among newborns. Mother raccoons that are being fed by "helpful" humans on a regular basis will bring their newly weaned young and to the food and teach them that that is where the food is. While survival rates increase, foraging skills decrease. This is only one example. All one has to do is look at the difference between feral barn cats and domestic house cats. Domestic house cats may hunt for sport, but put one into the situation of having to hunt to feed itself and it won't survive. It's country cousins on the other hand do quite well without human intervention.

I have neighbors who have a place here and a place on the edge of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve down in the valley. She feeds Javelina. Buys flour tortillas at Costco by the gross. The mother pigs bring their babies as soon as they stop nursing to her porch for their food. Over the years "her" herd grew to scary numbers. The state Game and Fish dept. was called by a neighbor who'd had enough and they showed up in force and in no uncertain terms told her she was interfering with the natural course of the Javelinas' life cycle and population. They trapped and moved the herd and issued her a written warning, threatening that if the activity continued she would be fined and forced to pay for the relocation costs.
Feeding birds can be done in such a way that it doesn't interfere with seasonal migratory patterns. Our area is full of hummingbirds in summer. They naturally migrate south in winter as it can get quite cold here and nothing grows in winter that they can eat. This is how it is supposed to be. It's possible to get them to stay around all winter by keeping feeders out. I take mine down after the first hard freeze. Leaving them up is selfish and harmful to the natural pattern of existence for these birds. Does the person who feeds birds all winter that should have flown south congratulate himself on "saving them a trip"?
Feeding wildlife is stupid.