The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wants residents of Los Angeles County to refrain from providing food or water to wildlife displaced by fires, even though it might feel like the right thing to do. This announcement comes as multiple wildfires in Southern California, including the Palisades Fire, continue to ravage parts of LA, displacing humans and animals alike. CDFW’s message is clear, though: Don’t feed the wildlife forced out of their former homes due to the fires.
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“Please DO NOT provide food or water to wildlife,” writes CDFW in an Instagram post. “While this may seem well intentioned, the most critical need of wildlife during and after a wildfire is for them to find their way to safe habitat as quickly as possible. Stopping for food or water in fire zones and residential areas poses risks to them and you. Finding food and water in a specific location even one time can permanently alter an animal’s behavior. Wildlife quickly learns that the reward of receiving handouts from humans outweighs their fears of being around people. This often leads to a cycle of human-wildlife conflicts, which can easily be avoided.”
So what CAN you do if you encounter a wild animal that’s been displaced? CDFW suggests leaving it alone in hopes it’ll find its own way to safety. If an animal appears sick or injured, residents can report the sighting to local CDFW staff by emailing details to [email protected].
Watch the full video explaining why folks should not feed wildlife displaced by fires here:
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