by Suzanne Mathews

Created on: September 28, 2010   Last Updated: October 01, 2010

The growth of the human population undoubtedly has increased which has created the expansion of residential and commercial development. Consequently, the development has encroached into the habitat of wild animal’s.  Observing wild animals near human habitats or even in nearby-wooded areas can be a fascinating experience; often this fascination encourages some individuals to approach or feed these animals. However, there are dangers of feeding wild animals.

Of these dangers, feeding wild animals can cause the animal to lose their normal fear of humans. Some may believe a wild animal without fear is a good thing, perhaps believing all is peaceful between humans and wild life, but this is not a good thing. Case in point, when wild animals feel threaten their natural response, to protect themselves, is to attack aggressively. This aggressive response puts humans, family pets, and livestock in serious danger. Unlike domestic animals like family pets and livestock, wild animals are not vaccinated for diseases. According to The Humane Society of the United States, wild animals are known to carry diseases such as rabies, herpes B virus, and salmonella. While these diseases can be dangerous to anyone, they can be deadly to individuals with compromised immune systems.  

Wild animals require a special diet consistent with their own habitat. Feeding animals foods meant for humans consumption can cause harm or even death. In addition, feeding wild animals can alter the animal’s natural eating habits making them dependent on the food being feed to them. Each time humans provide food to wild animals, we cause them to vacate their natural habitat. Leaving their habitat interrupts the natural food chain among wild animals, thus, causing additional animals, within the food chain, to enter human territory for their survival.

Wild animals relocating to human territories for their free meal can cause overpopulation. Undoubtedly, overpopulation can cause diseases among the animals and human life.  Meanwhile the natural habits these wild animals once occupied as home begin to undergo an unhealthy transformation. The growth of the forestland is dependent on wild animals because they deposit natural nutrients to the soil and their consumption of plant life promotes new growth. While we may be fascinated by the beauty of these wild animals, we must first consider how our feeding them can interrupt the natural order of life.

References:

The Humane Society of the United States. (2010). Consider the risks to human health and safety, animal welfare, and the environment. Retrieved on September 27, 2010, from http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/fact s/

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