Special to PN
By John Nepywoda
“Everyone does it.”
“I have been doing it for years and it hasn’t hurt them.”
“I will continue to do it until I am convinced it is bad for them.”
“It is cheap entertainment for our children.”
These quotes are just a few of the comments we hear from people who are feeding the ducks and geese along the Riverwalk when we approach them to suggest, “Please do not feed the ducks, geese or other wildlife.”
The Naperville Park District along with the Riverwalk Commission have placed signs both on posts on the upper Riverwalk and in the cement along the lower Riverwalk that clearly state “Do Not Feed the Wildlife.” A lot of people acknowledge the signs, but say that “everyone ignores the signs.”
On most sunny weekend days, there is a feeding frenzy of mostly white bread being fed to the river wildlife.
So what’s wrong with feeding the wildlife? Plenty!
The problem with white bread is that it causes a deficiency in Vitamin E, which is found in high levels in the bird’s natural–diet, things like leaves, seeds and aquatic plants. When the birds are tiny ducklings or goslings, they must receive adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. The deficiency in vitamin E can cause malnutrition and a problem called “angel wing.”
Feeding the ducklings or goslings will make it much harder to forage natural foods; thus leaving them at a disadvantage.
The next problem is disease. When the birds are exposed to a diet rich in carbohydrates (white bread), they defecate more than usual, and all bird feces harbor potentially harmful bacteria, responsible for a number of avian-related diseases such as avian botulism, in addition to taking the harmful bacteria into our homes on the bottom of our shoes.
Finally, the Canada geese lose their fear of humans and start acting aggressively toward you, and especially to little children, in order to procure food. The problem lies with the fact that if the birds have regular access to handouts, they lose their natural fear of humans and become increasingly bold and aggressive.
Section 2.05 (b) of the Naperville Park District Ordinance 641 states “No Person shall feed any Wildlife on District Property.” Violation of the ordinance could result in a citation and warning, and possibly a $50 fine if convicted.
Let’s not have to go the enforcement route. Let’s enjoy watching the wildlife along the river and let them live naturally, without any interference from us humans.
Spread the word. Tell your friends, “Please do not feed the wildlife.”
Editor’s Note: John Nepywoda, a 12-year resident of Naperville, is a retired environmental consultant. He resides along the Riverwalk and served as a volunteer during the East Extension construction. John and his wife, Rita, walk along the DuPage River almost daily and enjoy the natural beauty that is a jewel in the heart of Naperville.
