Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Cheryl, Castro Valley, CA on August 10, 2009:

Well said. I don't understand people's ignorance. We call them "wild" animals for a reason. Because they are not "domesticated." Domesticated animals need to be fed and cared for by people. Wild animals do not need people to feed them and will eat people as necessary to perpetuate "survival of the fittest!" Sadly, this forces those who wish to protect the animal into the position of having to then kill them for doing what comes naturally. Cause and effect is not that difficult to understand, people!

Posted by Jeff, Anchorage, AK on August 10, 2009:

Human emotions are a powerful thing. We see an animal, and we relate its expression to one we know, like 'hungry'. And then the need to nurture kicks in, and...

Pets teach us that animals are generally safe (false). Movies teach us that animals are human-like (false). We are given every reason in the world to believe animals are a known force, so it's no wonder that some people can't distinguish the difference.

Now, I'm not advocating for the removal of TV and movies and pets from our lives. I'm just saying, there will always be those who cross the line and honestly believe in their hearts they are doing the right thing.

Is education the answer? Laws? Neither one made a difference here. Maybe this is the example that someone else needs to wisen up? I hope so...

---

I'm sure SOME people will get the message from this, and that definitely makes it worth my time to write it. -rc

Posted by Roberta, San Jose, CA on August 10, 2009:

People seem to like codependent relationships, but don't want to take responsibility for them. Feeding a wild animal creates a codependent relationship with that animal, and the others that follow it.

I found it very interesting that the bear ate the woman, even though it was clear that she had intended to feed it by the barrow full of dog food. I guess she thought that she would be safe from the bear because she continued to provide it food. I guess no one had told the bear not to "bite the hand that feeds you." Wild animals don't understand the concept of gratitude or remorse.

There is a law in my town against feeding wild birds in public places. I had always thought that it was because of the poop, until I started seeing a lot of footless blackbirds hanging around the fast food places. Normally these birds would fly around looking for food, sleeping in a different place every night. Because these birds are always staying and sleeping in the same place day after day, they get infected by a fungus that acts like leprosy from constantly using the same perches. It is spread to other birds who rest on these perches, and soon we have whole flocks of birds with no feet.

If you want a pet, go to your local shelter and get a pet. There are plenty of domestic, tame animals that need a loving home. Then, once you have your pet, be responsible for it. Keep it clean, fed and housed, and protect it from predators, pests, disease, and unwanted pregnancy. This animal will depend on you, and it has generations of breeding to want to coexist with you. Don't get a wild animal. Even if you raise it from a baby, it still has all its wild instincts and will some day act on those impulses. It is never fair to you or the wild animal.

---

A good example of the wild animal reverting to instinct, despite being raised by loving humans: Roy Horn. -rc

Posted by Denise, NC on August 10, 2009:

I hate going to national parks for the simple reason that the deer seem to *know* that not only humans will give them food, but that no one can do anything to hurt them while they take it.

I once had a *big* buck with 8+ points stick his head over my shoulder to take the sandwich I was eating right out of my hands! I hadn't held it out to him and I didn't know he was even there until he loomed over my shoulder. Cute, huh? Not when one considers how much damage those antlers could have caused had he decided to fight me for the sandwich!

Just this last week I went camping, and within 30 minutes of setting up the tent in an almost vacant campground, three deer walked into camp, begging for food. They were completely unfazed by the dog we had on a long leash that was growling at them. These things seem smart enough to know that dogs are expected to be leashed and couldn't run after them. They weren't even startled when I swung a stick at them. I actually had to throw rocks at them to get them to leave!

On the way out I saw people in a big truck pulled over at the side of the road, hand-feeding bread to a doe... a little spotted fawn right by her side.

And so the next generation learns not to fear humans, dogs, or the vehicles that come driving through the park.

Posted by Oriana, Seattle, WA on August 10, 2009:

When will people learn that domesticated animals aren't TRAINED to domestication... they are BRED to it! It takes lot of generations of deliberate breeding to result in a domesticated animal. You cannot ever domesticate an animal with "kindness" or food. It is impossible. And all you are creating is a problem. One that someone else is likely going to have to deal with. Way to help your neighbor. (sarcasm there)

Just think of all the dogs that dog food would have fed... and all the horses that grain would have fed. If she had to feel altruistic... couldn't she have helped the poor abused DOMESTIC animals in her area?!

Posted by Felix, California on August 10, 2009:

I live on 16 acres in northern California and have several bird feeders out. About this time of year, just before they migrate south, I have counted over 50 hummingbirds trying to get sugar water, over a hundred goldfinches, and around 100 grosbeaks, house finches, etc, all hanging around together.

I have learned that this feeding does not keep them from migrating on schedule; when they are ready to go, they disappear practically overnight and I am left with whatever bird feed is extra at that point.

I have also wondered if I am making them lazy, not having to hunt for food. I think not so much, since I don't always refill them when empty and they don't always notice right away when I do refill them. Sometimes I even wait a day or two just to break them of any lazy habits. Or am I making a nice all you can eat buffet for hawks? There are enough trees nearby that the hawks would have problems coming out of a dive if they did catch a bird and I seldom see them circling overhead. I don't think four legged critters will start collecting, since the bird feeders are 10-15 feet off the ground and I have not once seen any four legged critters nearby except the tree squirrels, who I think I have mostly defeated (the feeders are far enough off the ground to be a painful drop, and hang from two foot long wires so that even if the squirrels did want to jump, they could get to the feeders but not back, and they seem smart enough to figure that out in advance).

But I have always wondered what bad side effects I am causing.

---

It's a good question, and I don't know the answer to this one -- I'm sure other readers will weigh in. Seed feeders aren't used here, since they attract deer (and sometimes bears). Some have hummingbird feeders, but they're usually well above ground (second floor deck areas) to be well out of reach of bears. -rc

Posted by Patricia, Detroit, MI on August 10, 2009:

Some people truly DO operate with little or no brains!

We, in Michigan, have a little different problem. One of our big "sports" is hunting which is CLOSELY monitored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). You have to be licensed to kill deer, there's a limit on "kills" and any "kills" have to be reported.

Almost every year we have some environmental activist or PETA-type person griping on the news about how horrible this "sport" is! Well, the truth is that the only real predator that's left in most of the lower peninsula is a vehicle (car/truck), because although there have been reports of big cats, a few wolves, a bear here and there and maybe some adventuresome/hungry coyotes, the deer far outnumber them. When they breed/produce unchecked then they become sick (mostly tuberculosis) which can infect whole herds of cattle and other animals who all die very unkind deaths.

Most hunters use the deer for food AND trophy and usually only "kill" what they can use to feed their families. Those are the "lucky" ones! I know far more who come home empty-handed but still enjoyed their time communing with nature. Most are not running unchecked just to kill Bambi to leave it rot and our DNR officers usually catch those that try to take more than their limit!

Best of luck on YOUR state's education program!

Posted by Marc, Chicago Western Burbs on August 11, 2009:

Reminds me of the tale told by a Yosemite Park Ranger about the time he stopped a woman who was smearing HONEY ! on the face of her young child because she wanted to take a picture of a bear licking the honey off of her child's face.

Posted by Valorie, WA on August 11, 2009:

What a great article and commentary. Not that what happened was a surprise but it's really got me thinking. We live in suburbia next to a greenbelt that protects a salmon spawning stream. The local elementary school raises salmon fry and releases them into the spawning stream that travels between the school and its playground in an attempt to revitalize the river. Needless to say, this greenbelt goes for many miles and has many deer, coyotes, raccoons, and even bobcats and bears living in it. Most homes nearby this greenbelt are acre or less homesites although there are a few larger areas.

In fact, Washington state encourages these sorts of plantings by offering classes and plaques for wildlife friendly yards. Realizing that our house was invading their natural habitat, we made a decision to plant native and berry producing plants on the back half of our yard to try to replace some of the lost habitat. We have a distinct clearing line that delineates the "natural" area from the "human" area. This clearing line does minimize the comfort level of the wild critters, but clearly we have to be careful to keep the "human" habitat uninteresting and unrewarding for any critter that chooses to cross the line.

We have never seen the bear but a neighborhood two miles away which also abuts this greenbelt sees the bear every other year or so. We routinely see deer sleeping on our porch and have seen the bobcat probably three or four times over the last several years. When the missing cat posters go up, we know he is nearby.

After reading this article, I am now torn over our decision. On the one hand, we are not feeding the wild animals anything unnaturally tasty or unusual but perhaps our wildlife buffet, albeit a natural one, is still a problem waiting to happen.

Posted by Carol, Arizona on August 11, 2009:

...A fed bear is a dead bear.
And a bear feeder is dead!
Poetic Justice?
I suppose posters would be tacky. ;-)

---

Hard to say for sure without seeing it. Send one in and I'll let you know what I think! :-) -rc