The parks Department intends to prohibit to feed the squirrels and birds because it harms local wildlife and leads to an increase in the populations of rats and raccoons. Public hearings on the rule change scheduled for Friday, they will be held in the recreation center Pelham Fritz in Manhattan.
At the moment in city parks is already prohibited to feed most wild animals, but birds and squirrels while this rule does not apply. According to Richard Simon, Director of Parks Department»s Wildlife Unit, people do not abide by the existing rules, and when they are caught in this, they say that fed birds and not other animals.
Because of this, the number of raccoons and deer has increased dramatically over the last 20 years, and the other animals decided to change the habitat and gradually leave the parks.
Discussion the introduction of new rules is actively on the page NYCRules. Some people worry that birds can die from hunger without their help. Others point out that feeding birds and squirrels allows them to relax.
«Many new Yorkers like to feed birds and other wildlife in the parks, said Laura Taylor in one of the comments posted on the website. A well — established new York tradition, which people enjoy for many years.»
Should there be a prohibition on feeding birds in NYC parks? I say no. But the proposed rule would make it so. https://t.co/8Wt91pb7BO pic.twitter.com/uDJAFofo86
— 🐺 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 Ⓥ 🐾 (@ThePawReport) February 27, 2019
Photographer Andrew ADJ, author of «The New York Pigeon: Behind the Feathers», also disagreed with the parks Department. He believes that rats are attracted not so much food, how much food left on Park benches and in open garbage cans.
Many people stress that birds should be fed the proper food, as human food they are not getting the necessary nutrients that are contained in insects and plants.
Authorities also point out that feeding animals could affect their hunting instincts. They become helpless, because no longer search for food themselves.
«It hurts me to see how animals eat food meant for people, writes Laura Friedman. — It harms our ecosystem, animals, and helps to breed rats».
flickr.com/Simon Law/CC
«Give ducks bread is really awful, said Richard Simon from the parks Department. We see a lot of people, nursing cakes ducks, squirrels, and other animals. This amount of carbohydrates will not meet in the natural diet of the animal».
In parks you can often find birds suffering from obesity. And deer that consume too many carbohydrates at risk of overgrowing of the hooves, causing them then it is difficult to walk.
«We have seen how this happens in the deer population on Staten island,» added Simon.
In addition, people often leave food for the reindeer in the Park Clove Lakes dangerously close to busy roads, leading to accidents involving animals.
A gopher and deer hanging out near the @csinews parking lot — seriously this could be a scene from a Disney movie. The College of Staten Island is a special place. pic.twitter.com/QBVc5lkoDi
— Ken Iwama (@IwamaKen) July 31, 2018
Nancy tonan Club birds of Queens County have agreed that it is important to teach people what bread is harmful to birds, but does not support the ban. More important not to punish, but to explain to the residents how to interact with wildlife.
«There is healthy food for bird feeding are seeds, fruit, unsalted bacon, she said. — If it is not harmful, why should it be illegal? People love to feed the birds.»
Agree with her and photographer Andrew ADJ.
«The public should know that birds need to be fed high quality seed, not food waste. And forbid not to feed birds at all,» he added.
flickr.com/Matt MacGillivray/CC
The parks Department also warned people that wild animals can be disseminators of disease. Recently, the city was struck by a plague of dogs, which led to the deaths of more than 300 raccoons in city parks.
At the moment the penalty for feeding animals in the Park is $50.
