Topic, Main Idea, and Supporting Details (Please Don't Feed the Animals)

Have you ever fed pieces of bread to a duck? Perhaps you have left picnic scraps for a squirrel. Even though it's fun to feed wild animals, it's almost always a bad idea. One reason for this is that the animals may become dependent on the food that people provide. The animals may also teach their young to beg for food. This may cause the animal to go too close to dangerous cars and homes. It's best if they stay in their natural habitats.

It's also dangerous for people to be around wild animals. Wild animals are interested in getting something to eat, not in making friends. If an animal learns that a certain person will give it food, the animal may chase that person. Geese often chase people with food. Squirrels have climbed up people's legs, scratching them. If a person receives such an injury from an animal, the person might become ill.

Another reason not to feed wild animals is that food that is good for people may not be healthy for animals. An animal's natural diet is well balanced for the animal. The food that people eat often contains more sugar, salt, and fat than animals need to be healthy. Some food may even kill an animal.

Feeding wild animals can also be expensive. The park rangers at national parks will charge a fine to a person who feeds wild animals. People who run the national forests want to keep the wildlife healthy. As a result, the fines may be as high as $500.00.

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