Do not feed the animals
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"Do not feed the animals" is an exhortation to not feed animals which might be harmed by the feeding. Signs displaying this message are commonly found in zoos, parks and other places where people come into contact with wildlife.
The signs are used to discourage visitors from giving any food to the animals. In a zoo this is due to the strict dietary controls in place.[1] The sign is also common when asking people not to feed animals in a public place – some animals are considered to be a pest and would leave the area if the food was not available. One reason for this is that the animals can start aggressively seeking out food from people, sometimes leading to injury. In some cases there are laws to enforce such rules.[citation needed]
Some zoos, particularly petting zoos, do the opposite and actively encourage people to get involved with the feeding of the animals.[2] This, however, is strictly monitored and usually involves set food available from the zookeepers or vending machines.
In national parks, feeding animals can result in malnourishment due to inappropriate diet and in disruption of natural hunting or food-gathering behavior. It can also be dangerous to the people doing the feeding.[3]
References
- ^ Darill Clements, Postcards from the Zoo, HarperCollins Australia, 2010.
- ^ Devra G. Kleiman, Katerina V. Thompson, and Charlotte Kirk Baer, Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques for Zoo Management, 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 2010, p. 140.
- ^ Lisa Gollin Evans, Outdoor Family Guide: Rocky Mountain National Park, The Mountaineers Books, 2011, p. 23.
External links
- NOAA Reminder: Do not feed or interact with Hawaiian Monk Seals – an example of a law that prohibits the feeding of an animal
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