Problems with feeding wildlife in Pacific Grove

Feeding wildlife could get you into trouble.

After several reports of people feeding deer and other wild animals… the Pacific Grove Police Department is cracking down on the offenders.

Pacific Grove is home to many animals including deer, seagulls, and raccoons. But officials say we need to remember these are wild animals and feeding them is actually quite dangerous.

From the unique coastline… to the deep forests of Pacific Grove… seeing wildlife is no strange sight.

But for owner of Alberto’s restaurant in Pacific Grove… This was something new when first coming to the area…

Alberto Bonatelli says, “I think it’s surprising for me, that I come from la and New York. Of course it’s surprising I’ve never seen anything like that.”

And with such a dynamic range of wildlife, it can be very tempting to offer them food.

Elizabeth Yeo – Animal Control Office in Pacific Grove, says, “Well we have some people that think they are doing a good thing by feeding the wildlife. Whether it’s the deer or seagulls, squirrels, or any of those other animals… They think it’s helpful for them to have supplemental food.”

But officials with the city of Pacific Grove, say this is actually dangerous to the animals.

Yeo, “In reality when they do have supplemental food sources it causes them to have a larger amount of young. Whether it’s a deer, might have twins because she’s got an excessive food supply. Or a raccoon that might have three babies… Could have 5 or 6 because of supplemental food.”

Yeo says this leads to over population and the food is generally not good for their health.

But along with the dangers to the wildlife… it also poses a threat to
people.

Yeo says, “Animals will assume that everybody’s got food. And so they may approach a person wanting food and then may get a little more aggressive than they normally would if they weren’t fed.

Officials say they aren’t trying to be mean… But rather educate people on why it’s bad to feed the animals.
And feeding wildlife is illegal in most cities, so by doing so, you could wind up with a citation and fine.