The worst behaviors
The increasingly frequent presence of deer and roe deer on urban roads and in town centres, especially in winter, is a safety problem. To prevent it, there are several actions to avoid. In particular, that of the administration of food, which becomes a source of attraction for animals. This is why the Province of Belluno has launched a real awareness campaign against this practice. And he started in recent days, writing to all the Municipalities.
No to the administration of food
The letter presents some general indications and in particular underlines the harmfulness of the administration of food, not only in terms of road safety, but also for the well-being of wild animals, as also indicated by Ispra, the main research body of the Ministry of the Environment. Nonetheless, the habit of leaving hay, apples and other fruit on the doorstep for deer and roe deer, especially in winter, is increasingly widespread, as reported to the Provincial Police by several mayors, who have recorded repeated cases of voluntary feeding of wild animals by citizens.
The risks you take
In the letter sent to the Municipalities, the risks associated with this practice are highlighted, in particular for public safety. In fact, animals tend to approach houses knowing they will find something to eat. And as a result they cross the streets rather than being in their natural environment. But there are also health risks, given that the food left on the ground to attract a deer or roe deer will probably also be used by many other species, such as rats, pigeons, foxes considered potential vectors of diseases transmissible to humans and to pets.
Difficult coexistence
Furthermore, feeding inappropriate food (such as flours such as bread) to ungulates can cause health problems, especially at a gastrointestinal level. Among the elements reported in the Province's awareness campaign there is also the presence of the wolf. Provincial Police technicians note how artificial feeding sites for ungulates could become points of attraction for the predator, representing highly predictable areas of concentration of prey in space and time, with negative consequences on coexistence with human activities (source: Province of Belluno).