Residents leaving pumpkins out for animals are putting the wildlife in harm害羞草研究所檚 way.
Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 Nature Nut is concerned that Halloween leftovers left out as a 害羞草研究所榯reat害羞草研究所� for wildlife, are in fact 害羞草研究所榯ricking害羞草研究所� them.
害羞草研究所淲ildlife get their own food, water and shelter. That害羞草研究所檚 how they are wild,害羞草研究所� said Roseanne Van Ee. 害羞草研究所淲e domesticate them causing them to rely on us for food when we put out pumpkins or other human food.害羞草研究所�
She urges resident not to leave deer and raccoons pumpkins, which can also attract skunks, squirrels, rats, mice, bears, coyotes and insects.
害羞草研究所淲ildlife continually look for food and can lose their fear of humans when we feed them. Then, they may become aggressive if not fed as expected.害羞草研究所�
She points to local expert urban wildlife control specialist, Pete Wise, who has said: 害羞草研究所渨e create our own problems with nuisance wildlife害羞草研究所y leaving food and water out for them.害羞草研究所�
Animals remember where food is left out and will return. They are innocent and just following their own instincts to do what they need to survive.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 why you only take your compost and garbage out on the morning of collection and feed your pets indoors,害羞草研究所� said Van Ee.
The Nature Nut says pumpkins can instead be composted or used for human consumption, pumpkin custard being her favourite.
READ MORE: Leave the leaves alone: Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 Nature Nut
