Feeding Wildlife Responsibly — Breaking Down the Do’s and Don’ts

Feeding wildlife might seem like an act of kindness, but without understanding the possible impact, these well-intentioned actions can often cause more harm than good. Understanding what feeding wildlife responsibly means can help protect both animals and the natural environments they rely on. When supporting wildlife, it’s not just about offering food, it’s about doing it the right way.

Why Feeding Wildlife Potentially Causes Problems

When wild animals become accustomed to handouts, their natural behaviors can change. Animals may start to rely on human-provided food sources and risk losing their instinct to scavenge or even lose their natural fear of people and become aggressive.

These behaviors can lead to:

• Poor nutrition from inappropriate foods like breads, processed snacks or even trash that’s been poorly disposed of
• Dangerous interactions between humans and wildlife
• Starvation as wildlife could begin to starve themselves by avoiding natural food sources

While the intention of feeding wildlife may be perceived as a kind gesture, the long-term consequences often create more risks for the animals.

Feeding Wildlife Responsibly: A Guide

Feeding wildlife responsibly means making informed choices that prioritize the animal’s health and natural behaviors.

Examples of responsible feeding include:

• Feeding indirectly through their habitat, such as including native plants, shrubs and trees in your landscaping
• Maintaining clean feeding areas like bird feeders and water sources
• Limiting direct interactions with wildlife

If you’re going to feed wildlife, it’s important to research and understand the needs of the animals you’re feeding or considering feeding.

Supporting Wildlife Without Directly Feeding

While feeding can sometimes be done responsibly, there are even better ways to support wildlife without the risks.

Examples include:

• Planting native gardens
• Offering clean water sources
• Protecting natural habitats

By focusing on habitat support rather than directly feeding wildlife, you’re providing lasting benefits to the wildlife population.

Choosing to feed wildlife responsibly and supporting them through habitat efforts ensures wild animals remain healthy, independent and safe. When you prioritize the animal’s natural instincts and well-being, you create a healthier relationship between humans and wildlife for years to come. Support wildlife by protecting their natural behaviors, not changing them.