Los Alamos Reporter

County: Never Feed Wildlife

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Never Feed the Wildlife

Oh, look at that cute squirrel! He’s coming closer…giving him a little snack couldn’t hurt, right? Wrong. While a squirrel might look cute munching on our trail mix – feeding wild animals hurts them.

Did you know feeding wildlife can have negative impacts on an entire ecosystem?

It’s not just a few peanuts. You may have the best intentions when you want to share food with the squirrels and deer, but feeding wildlife is dangerous. Human foods are not healthy for wild animals. Animals that eat our snacks can get full off the wrong foods and stop eating the nutrients they need to survive. They can stop hunting, foraging, or scavenging as they would naturally. They literally want to get chips or die trying. 

Depending on humans for food is called food conditioning. Food conditioning is dangerous for animals because it can lead to serious consequences like getting sick, starving, or even having to be killed if they become too aggressive. Animals can lose their fear of people when they get used to eating our food. They may beg, steal, or even rip into your belongings and home if you don’t give it to them. Because they approach you (and because they’re so cute!) people might think the animals are tame like our pets at home, but they are still wild creatures. If the animal feels threatened for any reason, it could bite, kick, charge, or attack you.

Let them stick to their natural diet. Feeding wildlife isn’t safe for the animals or for you. 

What You Can Do

Be a smart wildlife watcher and help keep wildlife wild.

  • Never feed the wildlife.
  • Store your food and stash your trash. You may unintentionally feed wildlife by leaving trash or crumbs behind. Be sure to clean up after yourself after meals and practice Leave No Trace principles.
  • Give the animals room. Always keep a safe distance when watching wildlife.
  • Want more wildlife viewing tips? Learn the 7 ways to safely watch wildlife.
  • Learn more about the risks to wildlife from people.

Visit the National Park Service “Did You Know” article to learn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt_feedingwildlife.htm

To learn more about living with wildlife on the Pajarito Plateau, visit the County website at www.lacnm.com/wildlife. 

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Hantavirus in New Mexico

THE BASICS

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a sometimes fatal, respiratory disease caused by a virus transmitted by some species of rodents. Cases occur sporadically and are usually associated with heavily infested buildings in rural areas where the rodent hosts live. 

In New Mexico, deer mice are the primary carriers of hantavirus. The virus is found in mice droppings and urine, and individuals are typically exposed to hantavirus in certain settings including places where animal or human food and warmth is found, such as around their homes, cabins or sheds, especially when cleaning out or exploring enclosed areas with mouse droppings.

Symptoms typically develop within one to six weeks after rodent exposure and may look and feel like the flu or a stomach bug. Individuals with HPS may experience fever and muscle aches, possibly accompanied by chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough, which can progress to respiratory distress and severe illness. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for hantavirus, so prevention of exposure to the virus is key. The type of hantavirus present in the United States cannot be transmitted from person to person. 

Most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are associated with buildings that became heavily infested with rodents seeking winter shelter. Preventing rodents from entering human structures is the best way to eliminate the risk for hantavirus.

PREVENTION

Avoid exposure to rodents and their nests – and reduce the risk of contracting hantavirus – by following these important steps:

  • Air out closed‐up buildings such as cabins and sheds, as well as abandoned or stored vehicles before entering.
  • Trap mice until they are all gone. 
  • Seal up homes and shelters to prevent rodents from entering.
  • Soak nests and droppings with a disinfectant such as a 10% bleach solution before cleaning them up.
  • Do not sweep up rodent droppings into the air where they can be inhaled.
  • Put hay, wood, and compost piles as far as possible from your home.
  • Dispose of trash and junk piles.
  • Do not leave your pet’s food and water where mice can access it. 

For more information about this virus, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, visit the Department of Health’s HPS webpage. 

To learn more about living with wildlife on the Pajarito Plateau, visit the County website at www.lacnm.com/wildlife.