Local Alert: Feeding Wildlife in Preserves Prohibited and Harmful, Fines Enforced

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The Forest Preserve District is reminding the public that feeding wildlife in the preserves is harmful to the animals and illegal. The District's General Use Ordinance 124 clearly bans such activities to encourage wildlife to depend on their natural food sources instead of human-provided foods, which are often unhealthy.

Becky Blankenship, the District’s wildlife ecologist, states that feeding wildlife alters their natural diet and behavior. Foods like bread and crackers, commonly given to ducks and geese, do not provide the necessary protein and calcium, causing health problems and reducing the birds' ability to fly. This feeding can also cause overpopulation and increase human-wildlife conflicts, leading to property damage, injuries, and sometimes the killing of the animals.

Feeding wildlife poses health risks, including the spread of diseases. Blankenship points out the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease among deer, a deadly disease that can be transmitted through contaminated food. This risk has led to a statewide ban on deer feeding in Illinois, though rules for feeding other wildlife vary by location.

The Forest Preserve Police Department, as stated by Deputy Police Chief David Barrios Jr., prioritizes enforcing these rules. Fines for feeding wildlife range from $25 to $100. The police aim to protect not only visitors and staff but also the natural habitats and health of wildlife.