We’ve all likely fed wildlife at some point in our lives, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It’s practically a childhood rite of passage to give bread crumbs to the ducks in the local park and if you’ve ever tried to picnic at the top of a popular peak, you may have had some snacks stolen by a bold squirrel.
It might seem harmless, or even helpful, to offer a treat. And, honestly, who doesn’t want the kind of relationship Cinderella and Snow White have with forest animals? I definitely get that. In reality though, feeding wildlife has many negative impacts – we just don’t stick around long enough to see most of them.
Feeding wildlife alters natural behaviors
When animals regularly get food from humans, it decreases their need to hunt, forage, or scavenge. In heavily populated or touristed areas, some animals may receive the majority of their food from humans. This changes their natural behaviors and, over time, can impair their ability to find food on their own. This makes these animals less likely to be able to survive in the wild and more likely to increase their proximity to humans.
For instance, consider urban pigeons accustomed to receiving handouts of bread in city parks. These birds become less skilled at finding natural food sources like seeds, insects, and vegetation, instead flocking to human-dense areas, like town squares and city parks, which can become a nuisance. Additionally, the birds end up with nutritional deficiencies and reduced overall fitness. This can weaken the population as a whole because not only does the current generation rely on human handouts, but they also aren’t teaching their offspring how to find food in the same way as truly wild parents.
Feeding wildlife can lead to malnourishment and disease
Humans are almost never feeding wild animals a species-appropriate diet. Even when we are, it’s unlikely they are receiving it in the appropriate amounts. We also often fail to consider that foods that are safe for us may not be safe for animals.
For example, we humans are a carb-loving bunch and probably have good intentions when we share our bread or crackers with the ducks. In reality, excessive consumption of carbs fills up the birds’ stomachs without providing any nutrients and can lead to a deformity called “angel wing” that impacts their ability to fly. Without a healthy diet, animals’ life spans are reduced.
There’s also a risk of disease or parasite transmission, both from humans to wildlife and vice versa. Germs from your hands could get on food that is consumed by animals, a scratch or nip from an animal could pass along disease or risk of infection, and close proximity increases the transmission risk for airborne illness.
Feeding wildlife can increase aggression and weaken group cohesion
For species with intricate social hierarchies, like certain primates, food distribution impacts relationships among group members. Who gets to eat first and who gets to eat what are dependent upon one’s position within the hierarchy. When a lower ranking group member receives a high-value human food item ‘out of order,’ the balance is thrown off and aggression within the group can occur. This can result in injuries to both the animals and any humans in the vicinity.
Not only is this unpleasant in the moment, but persistent tension can negatively impact the ongoing relationships between individuals and decrease the cooperation that is vital for the long-term success of these animals.
Feeding wildlife leads to increases in human-wildlife conflict
Food-related aggression isn’t just limited to intra-species conflicts. When wild animals learn that humans are a source of food, they can become aggressive toward us in their attempts to get it. For example, many beaches are now home to seagulls who view humans as free vending machines. They may steal from beachgoers’ bags or even snatch (unoffered) food directly from human hands, sometimes causing injuries in the process. Feeding animals in urban areas can result in garbage can raids, gardens treated as free buffets, and even animals sneaking into homes to access food (of either the human or companion animal varieties).
Anyone who has been to Southeast Asia has probably encountered more than a few fearless monkeys who will boldly attempt to steal anything they can get their hands on (they’ve graduated to taking anything and everything, no longer limited to food items, so hang onto those bags as well!). Oftentimes, these monkeys (and other animals) will get angry and aggressive if they aren’t able to get what they want. All humans are seen as potential targets, and their aggression will also often be directed toward people who are not attempting to engage or do not even have food with them. This creates a significant safety challenge, and puts everyone at risk of bites, scratches, and other injuries.
Another example are bears who become habituated to humans and learn to associate people with free food. They may begin to approach humans directly or damage vehicles to access coolers and other food stored inside.
Feeding wildlife can get animals killed
Sometimes, the animals themselves are the ones at risk of physical harm. Feeding wildlife can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and become comfortable in much closer proximity to us than is normal. Deer may venture into roads or urban areas more frequently, increasing the risk of vehicle collisions, which is a danger to both themselves and motorists. Similarly, animals may end up hit by cars after being drawn to food that has been thrown out along the side of the road. Bears who begin venturing into camping areas in search of food often end up being killed.
Feeding wildlife alters ecosystems in unsustainable ways
Every species in an ecosystem plays a unique role, contributing to its balance and health. Part of that balance is the carrying capacity of a specific area – the number of animals a given space can support in terms of food availability, water, shelter, and mates. Feeding wildlife can unintentionally disrupt this balance.
When we provide artificial food sources, it can attract large numbers of animals to a specific area, exceeding the natural capacity of the area to support that volume. If the artificial support of human-provided food suddenly decreases or stops, animals may starve or become undernourished because there is not enough naturally occurring food.
Even when receiving human-provided food, excessive populations can cause other damage, like overgrazing and damage to vegetation. This can disrupt the delicate balance of plant-animal interactions and contribute to habitat degradation.
Additionally, spilled or discarded food can attract invasive species, which outcompete native wildlife for resources. For example, feral pigs can become a problem when people feed them or leave food waste in their habitats. These pigs often damage native plant species, alter soil composition, and contribute to soil erosion.
Similarly, feeding fish in ponds and lakes with human food like bread can lead to nutrient imbalances and algae blooms, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. This can result in fish dying off and negatively impacts other aquatic life.
While the desire to connect with wildlife is understandable, it's crucial to recognize the far-reaching impacts of feeding wild animals. Something that may seem simple or largely meaningless to you compounds over time along with all the other people who think their small behavior doesn’t matter.
Often, the consequences of our actions take time to fully develop, by which time we are long gone and remaining blissfully unaware of the harm we’ve caused.
The best way to experience and appreciate wild animals is to simply observe them from a safe distance. You should not have any contact with an animal, even if they approach you (which is likely the manifestation of past tourists’ bad behavior). Keep a safe distance, move out of the way if the animal approaches, and do your best not to alter or interfere in their natural behaviors at all.
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