No matter how well intentioned, those who feed wild animals in the Boulder City area are doing more harm than good.
“Wildlife officials warn about the damage that is done when humans create artificial feeding conditions in urban areas,” explained Roger Hall, Boulder City’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “And we see the impacts it has on animals who live near our boat pond, the fish pond and throughout our parks system. We hope people will think twice about feeding wildlife, even if it is food that is designed specifically for that type of animal.”
Supplemental feeding, according to wildlife officials, increases the animal population beyond what the environment can sustain because when that food source goes away, those animals suffer.
They also warn that an improper diet results in health problems that are much harder for wild animals to overcome, typically resulting in predation. Bodies of water in the area also suffer greater water-quality issues related to the practice because of an increase in waterfowl feces and the decomposition of uneaten food. Finally, they say, all of those results taken together can increase the instances of disease in both the animal and human population.
Hall hopes everyone enjoys the City’s many wonderful parks and the wildlife that calls them home and that they will help keep the natural balance in them by not providing extra food. He added that anyone who feels the need to provide for animals can donate food to the City’s animal shelter for the dogs and cats staying there.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vudABP3dE to view a short video describing the problem.