Brits heading outdoors this summer are being urged to think twice before performing a well-meaning gesture that could lead to fines of up to £1,000 and cause lasting damage to local ecosystems. As more families explore parks, nature reserves, and coastal trails during the warmer months, ecologists are reminding the public to enjoy wildlife from a distance and avoid interfering with natural habitats.
The warning comes from ecological consultancy Arbtech, whose experts say that even small acts like offering food to animals can create serious long-term problems for the creatures.
While the idea of feeding birds, squirrels, or foxes may seem harmless, the act can in fact disrupt fragile ecological systems and make wild animals dependent on people for food.
Many parks and conservation areas across the UK enforce strict rules against feeding wildlife, and those who ignore them may face a £100 fixed penalty notice, or even prosecution resulting in a fine of up to £1,000.
“This summer, we are encouraging wildlife lovers to observe and not interfere with animals they encounter on their days out,” said a spokesperson from Arbtech.
“While you may have the best intentions with leaving out food, you may actually be negatively impacting their surroundings.”
One of the most pressing concerns is disease transmission. When multiple animals gather in one area because of food handouts, the risk of spreading illness between them rises sharply, a threat that can lead to population declines in already-vulnerable species.
Human food is also often inappropriate for animals, lacking essential nutrients and potentially causing digestive issues.
Experts also warn that offering food can attract pests such as rats, whose presence may damage delicate environments and drive away native wildlife.
In some cases, animals that grow accustomed to being fed by humans become less capable of surviving on their own, a phenomenon known as “dependency.”
Worse still, these animals can lose their natural wariness of people, making them more likely to wander into traffic, towns, or the path of predators.