Touching or feeding wildlife may seem harmless, but it can have serious consequences for both animals and humans. Human food is often unhealthy for animals and can lead to malnutrition or illness. When animals become used to being fed, they may lose their natural instincts to forage, making them dependent on people for survival.
Interacting with wildlife can also disrupt natural behaviors. Animals that lose their fear of humans are more likely to approach people, which can put both at risk. This change in behavior can lead to increased aggression or accidents, and it can also interfere with local ecosystems by altering feeding patterns and relationships between species.
There are health concerns as well. Close contact can spread diseases between humans and animals, sometimes with dangerous or even deadly consequences. Feeding or touching wildlife poses risks to the broader environment.
The best way to respect and protect wildlife is to observe from a distance and to avoid touching or feeding animals. This helps maintain healthy animal populations, supports balanced ecosystems, and ensures that natural areas remain safe and sustainable for everyone.
So, please refrain from touching or feeding our wildlife.
