Smart Care: Why is it important not to feed waterfowl in urban environments?

In order to preserve the well-being of wild animals, the Ministry of Natural Resources urges citizens to refrain from feeding swans, ducks, and other waterfowl in urban water bodies and recreational areas.

Despite the good intentions of city dwellers, the familiar sight of feeding birds with bread and other human food causes them irreparable harm.

Main reasons for refraining from feeding:

Unsuitable and dangerous diet.

Bread, buns, cookies, and other baked goods are not natural food for waterfowl. Such a diet leads to serious digestive disorders, obesity, and ultimately, a reduced lifespan.

Loss of natural instincts.

Birds accustomed to easily accessible handouts stop foraging for healthy and diverse food on their own, such as algae, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and other aquatic fauna. This weakens their health and makes them dependent on humans.

Pollution of habitat.

Uneaten food scraps quickly spoil in the water, causing decay and toxic algal blooms, which reduce oxygen content and lead to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms. Polluted water bodies become breeding grounds for infections, dangerous for both birds and humans.

Disruption of migratory instincts.

Fed birds may remain to winter in unfrozen urban water bodies, even though in nature they should fly to warmer regions. Wintering in unprepared conditions often ends in their death from cold and starvation.