Please Do Not Feed Wildlife The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is reminding the public not to feed deer or other wildlife. While it is not illegal to feed wildlife, there are several reasons that it is highly discouraged, including public safety concerns, the spread of chronic wasting disease, and potential harm to wildlife from introducing foods not in their diets. Public safety concerns Whenever someone feeds wildlife, those animals will frequently return to that area in search of food, which can sometimes result in increased traffic accidents and other human/wildlife conflicts. Predators will also follow their prey into more populated areas. And any wild animal can be aggressive. “Help yourself and the wildlife stay safe and avoid conflicts by not feeding them,” DWR Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones advises. Chronic wasting disease concerns Chronic wasting disease is a fatal transmissible disease caused by a protein particle that attaches to a deer’s brain, the same type of particle that causes “mad cow disease” in cows. “Because the disease is so contagious, it is essential that residents do not feed deer or put out food that will attract them,” DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout said. “This includes putting out corn, hay, dog food or birdseed that deer might easily access. Although it may seem like a beneficial thing to do during the winter months, feeding deer accelerates the spread of the disease because it causes the deer to congregate.” Other biological harm to wildlife Introducing the wrong type of food to wildlife can also harm them. Many animals’ digestive tracts are designed for their specific diets and they cannot readily digest other food, which can lead to them dying from starvation with full stomachs. “This is why feeding wildlife is usually not a good idea,” Jones said. “Although it sounds like an act of kindness and may sometimes help some animals get through, it can often create major problems.” Visit https://wildlife.utah.gov/ for more information. Faith Jolley, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 18 l www.swmlife.com
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