Dear Resident: 

The Rockaway Township Health Department has received several inquiries regarding the feeding of deer and other wildlife.  You may think you are helping the animals to survive; but you may be doing more harm than good. 

            Here are several reasons that you should consider before offering food to wild animals. 

1)      Supplemental food sources do not contribute to a wildlife population’s well being.

Wild animals need varied natural foods as part of their normal diet.  Their digestive systems are adapted to extract energy from a variety of foods available throughout the season.  Deer have sensitive digestive systems that cannot readily adapt to supplemental food sources.  In fact, winter starved deer have actually died with full stomachs because their digestive system was unable to process the supplemental food. 

2)      Feeding leads to crowding and crowding causes stress.

In crowded situations, physical aggression is common.  At feeding sites, larger more aggressive individuals often exclude younger and weaker individuals leading to injuries and even death. 

3)      An overabundance of individuals can result in habitat degradation.

An overabundance of wild animals drawn to a feeding area can cause habitat degradation which affects all wildlife species.  Also, feeding deer may cause property damage for your neighbors. 

4)      Feeding wildlife may cause the spread of disease.

Most wildlife diseases are spread from animal to animal.  Wildlife can carry many diseases that readily spread to people, pets and livestock.  Some of these diseases are rabies, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, distemper, tularemia, encephalitis and also parasites which are easily transferable. 

5)      Wild animals can be dangerous.

Feeding a single wild animal can quickly lead to having many at your doorstep.  Animals that are fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people.  Any wild animal, no matter how timid, is capable of inflicting injury to humans, pets and livestock. 

            You may think you are only feeding deer, but this area is frequented by black bears, which will also be attracted to the food source.  As a reminder, in accordance with local ordinances, all residents must store their household garbage in receptacles with tight fitting lids.  If possible, store your garbage containers in your garage, shed or another secure area.  To avoid attracting bears refrain from feeding birds until December.   

            Feeding bears, either deliberately or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage cans, has serious consequences for you, your neighbors and the bears.  Bears that learn to associate food with people readily become a nuisance and are more likely to damage property or exhibit aggression and are usually destroyed to protect the public.   

In New Jersey, it’s illegal to feed black bears and

violators face a penalty of up to $1,000.00 for each offense. 

            Please, if you really care about wildlife and want them to survive, do not feed the animals.  Keep your neighborhood safe and help preserve your neighbor’s landscaping.   

            Should you have any questions, please contact the Rockaway Township Health Department at (973)983-2842.  You may also visit the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife at

www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw.