The Downside of Feeding Wild Creatures
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
December 13, 2015 10:25pm CST
Last night two of Vince's brothers and their wives came for dinner. One brother and his wife had had a few days camping on our south coast at Coalmine Beach near Walpole. The others live in Bunbury only half an hour from us. We played a game of bocce/boule/petanque on the lawn before coming in for a lovely dinner which Vince cooked. We had apple roses for dessert (thanks, Anna, for the inspiration).
But what I wanted to say concerns the couple who camp regularly at Coalmine Beach. What was interesting is that they said the wildlife there is becoming very used to humans and creating a nuisance. Campers are asked not to feed the animals and birds but of course some can't resist.
Some of the kangaroos are now standing up to campers. Kookaburras are stealing steaks off plates and sausages off barbecues. Magpies are making a nuisance of themselves in the camps too. There is the potential for a nasty incident. Of course, humans are encroaching on the animals' habitat but it's a shame we can't all live in harmony.
16 people like this
16 responses
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
Even animals go for easy pickings but as you point out this has a downside for both animals and humans.The kangaroos presumably might attack humans for food. I am intrigued by the desert 'apple roses' can you describe this for me?
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
@JudyEv I have to take a decent dessert to a pot luck lunch - this may well prove to be my inspiration. Thank you Judy
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
15 Dec 15
@JudyEv Yes I have and they are really lovely. I am going to do a trial run and then if it is successful I will do a batch.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec 15
@41CombedaleRoad They look so complicated. I couldn't work out how they could possibly be made but it isn't very difficult at all.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Feb 16
It spoils eating at the beach doesn't it? when your food is likely to be stolen.
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
15 Dec 15
Wow that that would be amazing to see a kangaroos hop right up to the BBQ and steal a steak off the grill. I can't imagine this one and it sort of a picture from a cartoon where the baby reaches out of the pouch of the mother and grabs the steaks and hides back inside. The Mother hops away happy as can be. I know I shouldn't laugh at this one but it does sound sort of funny to see a kangaroo hopping up to you and stealing your food.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
22 Dec 15
There must be quite a few overweight roos if they are so determined to get the bread.@JudyEv
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec 15
It's the kookaburras that are stealing meat. Kangaroos are herbivores. It would be funny to see a joey stealing stuff - a true pickpocket. 
. With the roos, I think it's more that they won't get out of your way if you're on a path. And they hang around waiting for bread which they love.
. With the roos, I think it's more that they won't get out of your way if you're on a path. And they hang around waiting for bread which they love.
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
15 Dec 15
In the US we have those same problems with raccoons. We have a strong lock box we keep all our food in while out camping. Those raccoons can even open a jar of peanut butter if it's left out. Thankfully we don't have animals coming up to us while we are eating and stealing our food. That would freak me out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 I've read quite a lot about bears coming round for food.
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@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
22 Dec 15
@JudyEv I have never had that happen to me. We mostly camp in Illinois and we don't have a lot of critters that I am afraid of. Thankfully. We did camp at Yellowstone once and I was a bit worried about the bears. All the campsites had huge metal lock boxes for food.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
It certainly is. If someone is attacked they'll probably dispose of the animal or bird which is a great shame as it is not really their fault.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Dec 15
Wild animals should be treated as such- wild...people feeding them is a bad thing for the animals and for the humans.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
That's very true. Unfortunately in this case the damage might have already been done.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
I'm sure this happens, especially with the birds.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
22 Dec 15
You know I am a camper. There are signs everywhere not to feed the bears and no one really wants to because they know what will happen - the bears come back every night for more. Our coolers live in my van, they never come out, our food is always put away. Our kitchen is clean (spotless) every night. That famous first year when New York closed the dumps and opened landfill the bears were hungry pests and rangers spent the days walking the state parks telling people to keep their food in their cars and to put away coolers. Its was awesome how many didn't do that and lost all their food to the bears. Thankfully today its once in a blue moon when a bear walks through the campground.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Dec 15
It's a shame that the roos have become quiet enough to be quite a risk. And the birds would be quite frightening too as they are coming in under awnings and tables, etc. I've read about the problems with bears and how to avoid trouble.
1 person likes this
@marijuana (570)
• Tel Aviv, Israel
14 Dec 15
I felt heartbroken when I watched the news saying the Municipal Mayor ordered to perform euthanasia to homeless cats 
yet we feel exasperated when we see them littered all over .
yet we feel exasperated when we see them littered all over .1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
14 Dec 15
yes, i remember ladyduck's post about apple roses.
steaks and sausages huh? they sure know how to pick them.
seriously, i wonder if these foods will affect them also biologically, since some of them might have additives, coloring, seasoning, extenders.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
I guess they're only stealing a couple a day so they wouldn't be getting too much bad stuff hopefully.
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
Once they lose their fear of humans they can be quite dangerous.
