Feeding wildlife alters their behavioral patterns, which is illegal in the state of California.
14 CCR § 251.1 Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, harass is defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. This section does not apply to a landowner or tenant who drives or herds birds or mammals for the purpose of preventing damage to private or public property, including aquaculture and agriculture crops.
Feeding wildlife isn't so benign. 1. Human or pet food isn't healthy for them, especially for young growing animals that require specific nutrition for their species. Permanent, debilitating damage can be done in a short amount of time in these cases. Such as developing metabolic bone disease. 2. Food-conditioning frequently leads to conflicts with people that ends in death for the one being fed; too often the person doing the feeding is oblivious to this eventual reality. 3. You're creating a very easy target for people who do not find them likeable and instead intend harm. 4. Subsidizing wildlife can lead to overpopulation. When there aren't enough natural resources to feed those excess animals, many species are impacted and the outcome isn't pretty. 5. Disease can spread like wildfire among higher densities of animals attracted to unnatural food sources. 6. If you have a busy road nearby, they are more likely to be struck by cars as they venture to and from, or hang out near your property. 7. In some states it is illegal to feed wildlife because the harm it does is taken seriously. Example: California. All of California, including Santa Barbara.
"people who are caught feeding wildlife could face a misdemeanor charge, which carries a possible fine of up to $2,000 and six months in jail."
I know someone who was reported for feeding red foxes. He was reported by a neighbor who considered them a nuisance (it only takes one). Not only was he fined, but since the foxes belonged to a non-native subspecies, they were all trapped and killed. However, native species can also be destroyed for conflicts that might include getting into a neighbor's trash or attacking a neighbor's pet in their backyard, or damaging property. Wildlife that have discovered a human food source tend to get into these conflicts more often than those who are not lured into interacting with people. Sad but true.
Please keep interactions respectful and don't feed wildlife. Since this is a smaller predator and there is only one in the photo series, at this time I will not report you to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in case you are not aware of the potential harm of feeding wildlife.
Great pics. You must have a lot of patience...
ReplyDeleteFeeding wildlife alters their behavioral patterns, which is illegal in the state of California.
ReplyDelete14 CCR § 251.1 Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, harass is defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. This section does not apply to a landowner or tenant who drives or herds birds or mammals for the purpose of preventing damage to private or public property, including aquaculture and agriculture crops.
Feeding wildlife isn't so benign. 1. Human or pet food isn't healthy for them, especially for young growing animals that require specific nutrition for their species. Permanent, debilitating damage can be done in a short amount of time in these cases. Such as developing metabolic bone disease. 2. Food-conditioning frequently leads to conflicts with people that ends in death for the one being fed; too often the person doing the feeding is oblivious to this eventual reality. 3. You're creating a very easy target for people who do not find them likeable and instead intend harm. 4. Subsidizing wildlife can lead to overpopulation. When there aren't enough natural resources to feed those excess animals, many species are impacted and the outcome isn't pretty. 5. Disease can spread like wildfire among higher densities of animals attracted to unnatural food sources. 6. If you have a busy road nearby, they are more likely to be struck by cars as they venture to and from, or hang out near your property. 7. In some states it is illegal to feed wildlife because the harm it does is taken seriously. Example: California. All of California, including Santa Barbara.
http://www.redding.com/news/hey-folks-stick-to-kittens-puppies-feeding-wildlife-against-the-law-ep-376643886-355210851.html
"people who are caught feeding wildlife could face a misdemeanor charge, which carries a possible fine of up to $2,000 and six months in jail."
I know someone who was reported for feeding red foxes. He was reported by a neighbor who considered them a nuisance (it only takes one). Not only was he fined, but since the foxes belonged to a non-native subspecies, they were all trapped and killed. However, native species can also be destroyed for conflicts that might include getting into a neighbor's trash or attacking a neighbor's pet in their backyard, or damaging property. Wildlife that have discovered a human food source tend to get into these conflicts more often than those who are not lured into interacting with people. Sad but true.
Please keep interactions respectful and don't feed wildlife. Since this is a smaller predator and there is only one in the photo series, at this time I will not report you to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in case you are not aware of the potential harm of feeding wildlife.