The lucerne we had delivered yesterday morning to feed the hungry wildlife has long been consumed. At the moment, there are four warthogs: mom and three fast-growing offspring attempting to retrieve every last blade of hay. The animals are hungry. There is nary an edible leaf on a single tree or bush within our view.
It’s cloudy today, and continuous rain for several days would cause the bush to become green, providing food for the hungry wildlife. But, in mid-July, there’s only a 4% chance of rain in Marloth Park. The average rainfall in July is 0.19 inches, or 8mm, not enough to benefit the wildlife.
June was even worse, with only a 2% chance of precipitation. We recall it raining a few times during the month, but unfortunately, not enough to benefit the wildlife. The bush looks brown and dangerously dry. The rains won’t come until October, three months from now.
Here are some valid reasons not to feed wildlife:
Feeding wild animals in the bush might seem like a kind gesture, but it’s generally considered a bad practice for both animals and humans. Here’s why:
Why It’s a Bad Idea
1. Loss of Natural Fear
Wild animals that are fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people. This can lead to:
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Increased boldness, even aggression, when approaching humans.
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Dangerous encounters, especially with large or carnivorous animals.
2. Disruption of Natural Diets
Human food is unnatural and often harmful to wildlife. Animals may develop:
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Nutritional deficiencies or digestive issues.
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Dependence on handouts instead of foraging naturally.
A crocodile is swimming upstream on the Crocodile River.
3. Behavioral Changes
Feeding alters animal behavior:
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Some species may stop hunting or scavenging.
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Animals can become lazy, territorial, or aggressive, especially around food.
4. Encouraging Problem Animals
Animals that associate people with food can become “problem animals”:
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Raiding campsites or lodges.
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Becoming a danger to people and eventually being relocated or euthanized.
5. Ecological Imbalance
Feeding may increase the population of one species over another, disrupting the delicate balance of the bush. This can:
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Causes overgrazing or depletion of resources.
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Harm predator-prey relationships.
Two birds are conversing atop our birdbath in the garden.
When Feeding Might Be Acceptable
There are very few exceptions, usually under strict guidelines:
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Rehabilitation centers or sanctuaries, where professionals care for injured or orphaned animals.
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Experts manage conservation feeding during drought or disease to protect the survival of species.
Even in those cases, feeding is temporary and carefully managed.
The Responsible Approach
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Observe, don’t interfere. Enjoy wildlife from a distance.
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Secure your food and trash. Don’t let animals access human leftovers.
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Educate others. Help spread awareness about the risks of feeding wildlife.
However, Marloth Park is very different from typical wildlife areas.
Why We Feed
- There are few predators in Marloth Park, which helps keep the wildlife population in check during times of drought, causing a lack of sustenance for the animals.
- The animals in Marloth Park cannot roam as freely as those in Kruger National Park, as a fence encloses them within this 7,413-acre environment.
- For those of us willing and able to spend what it costs to supplement the animals’ diet, many of us can’t sit back and watch them starve during the dry winter months.
- This is a holiday township. Tourism provides a vital source of income for many workers and property owners. Dying and starving animals would deter tourists from making this their holiday destination.
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A genet as seen from the trail cam last night searching for meat.
When we leave Marloth Park mid-September to travel to Spain, we’ll feel bad leaving the animals without the regular sources of food we provide. But, many other residents and homeowners feed as we do. Hopefully, the rainy season will begin shortly after we leave.
Last night at Jabula, for the first time, we watched the rugby game with many other enthusiastic patrons in the bar. Yesterday, we studied the rules of a game that we weren’t familiar with. Having some knowledge of the game’s rules greatly added to the enjoyment of watching. The South African team, the Steenboks, is in first place in the world league, making the citizens wild with excitement. It was fun for us as well.
Tonight, we’re dining out with friends at Amazing Kruger View. Although it’s cloudy today, we will surely have a good time.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, July 20, 2015:
