Page 5 - Talk of Tequesta - November '20

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 5

northErn notEs

Please Don’t Feed Wildlife

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

As temperatures in
Florida start to drop in the
fall, people and animals will
be outside more often in the
daylight hours, creating
the potential for contact
and conflicts. Throughout
the years, The Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) to associate humans with a feeding opportunity and the the safest and most effective way to attract animals is to
receives many complaints results are predictable – animals become a nuisance provide good wildlife habitat. This is best accomplished
regarding wildlife causing to property owners. Artificially high concentrations through the use of native vegetation. The FWC has
damage to private property or creating a public safety of wildlife found at feeding stations also increase the publications online with information on developing your
issue. Many complaints are the result of communities transmission of diseases that normally occur in low own backyard wildlife refuge. For those without Internet
where intentional feeding of wildlife is tolerated or where concentrations. service, copies or more information about planting a
domestic animals are fed outdoors. Feeding wildlife is generally discouraged and, in backyard refuge may be obtained by calling or writing
Whenever such conflicts arise, wildlife loses. While some cases, illegal. In Florida, it is illegal to feed your nearest FWC regional office. (Source: www.
the species involved in each of these cases may be gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, bears, raccoons, foxes, myFWC.com)
different, the issue is always the same. Concerned and manatees and alligators. Intentionally placing food or NPDES Tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
well-intentioned individuals start feeding wildlife, often garbage, allowing the placement of food or garbage, or waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays,
without regard for the quantity or types of feed being offering food or garbage in such a manner that it attracts using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
offered. Wild animals have a complicated diet with black bears, foxes, raccoons, gopher tortoises or sandhill Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
specific needs. If people feed them “treats,” they may not cranes and thereby creates a public nuisance is prohibited. temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains
get the correct balance of nutrients to keep them healthy. Because people establish an emotional connection nutrients that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly
All wild creatures have evolved over the millennia with with wildlife that they feed, these situations often prove fertile water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for
an instinct to locate and eat a diet best suited to their own difficult to resolve, because they involve changing boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste
digestive systems. Thus, they have a specific niche in the peoples’ attitudes and behaviors. Fortunately, educating carries diseases which make water unsafe.
wild community where they feed and live in balance with individuals how to responsibly attract wildlife often
all other species. This balance is interfered with when resolves the problem. Communities can pursue a variety
well-intentioned people feed what they think is a healthy of approaches to affect a remedy. In communities with a
diet to wildlife. homeowner’s association, residents may apply remedies
This practice also inevitably leads to unnatural available to them through the association.
concentrations of animals, both wild and domestic, The FWC’s advice to anyone who enjoys wildlife is
looking for a handout. Wild animals are thus conditioned to keep it wild! For those who enjoy viewing wildlife,

WORRY MEETS

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* Cedarhurst Promise™ program is only available at advertised community. Not applicable for respite
or other short-term stays. Refund is available only if move out is a result of dissatisfaction with
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of care charges, and community fee. Ancillary services fees (ex. additional transportation, pet fees
and laundry charges) do not qualify for refund. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please
contact community for additional details. Void where prohibited.