Letter to a NYC Parks Wildlife Official

This morning I wrote a high official in the Wildlife division of NYC Parks regarding the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban. I share the letter here as both, a matter of record to this blog, as well as refute of arguments in support of the feckless ban.

It is vital to keep the pressure on NYC officials and the Mayor if we are serious about protecting what little remains of precious NYC Parks birds and squirrels.

The argument (put forth by an Audubon representative) that "The animals can go to Long Island" when essentially starved out of NYC parks is neither acceptable nor realistic. Squirrels and baby birds cannot fly or cross bridges.

Dear Mr.XXXXX

It was suggested by a colleague that I write to you regarding the proposed Wildlife Feeding Ban in NYC Parks.

I moved to upstate N.Y. last year. But before doing so, I visited Central Park everyday for nearly a decade and documented thousands of hours of wildlife observations in a blog.

One of the reasons for leaving NYC was the often apathetic, dismissive and even cruel, callous attitudes towards NYC parks wildlife.

I speak of the deliberate gassings and slaughter of more than 6,000 resident Canada geese, in addition to nearly constant harassment and destruction of their nests and eggs. 

The last Swan was harassed out of Central Park in the spring of 2014.

I understand that nearly all the raccoons in Central Park died last year and squirrel numbers are alarmingly low compared to recent past years.  Friends report lower bird numbers in general.

I am going to first, summarize by points, why Feeding Ban Proposal must be rejected, both for the sake of wildlife protection and human welfare. (Later, in this letter, I will refute claims of those supporting ban.)

1-- Destruction of Wildlife Habitat and Natural Food Sources.

Others have pointed to replacement of fruit, nut and seed-bearing trees in parks with ornamental flora that does not sustain wildlife. 

One example of this is destruction last year, of all vegetation that surrounds the Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park.  Foliage and grass previously there were important food sources for growing goslings, migratory and molting birds and other wildlife.  Last summer 8 of 9 goslings perished at the Reservoir, all around the age of four weeks. If not the main cause for demise of goslings, lack of food sources had to be contributing factor, leaving them weak and unable to avoid predation.
(Baby birds are unable to fly out until three months of age, to forage food elsewhere. Molting birds in summer are also unable to fly out to find food.)

2-- Climate Change and Lethal Impacts of Severe Winters on Park Wildlife.

The winters of 2014 and 2015 were particularly severe and abnormal all along the North East, including, NYC.  Thousands of waterfowl starved to death on iced-over lakes and ponds. The town of Southhampton in Long Island purchased large bags of cracked corn in effort to save dying ducks on their lakes.
Workers in Central Park told me of finding dead ducks around a frozen Harlem Meer.

Myself and a few others took to feeding starving MIGRATORY ducks, geese and coots on the then iced-over Jackie Onassis Reservoir twice a day. Tourists and even New Yorkers thought we were employees of the park!

"It's nice that the park feeds them!" we were told dozens of times.

Despite our efforts, many birds died anyway.
Imagine what this scene would be like were a feeding ban to pass?

Tourists would be viewing icy duck and goose graveyards.

The Jackie Onassis Reservoir is an important resting stop for thousands of migratory birds every year, as well as an actual wintering location for hundreds of migratory geese, ducks and coots.

Callously allowing migratory waterfowl to starve to death on iced-over watercourses should not be option for NYC parks -- especially at a location Park Rangers claim they "have no access to" for rescues.

Migratory birds, by federal law, are supposed to be protected!

3 --Negative Impacts on the Elderly, Disabled and Children/Families

It is mostly the elderly, disabled and young children who feed birds and squirrels in parks.  These are people who cannot run marathons, take "tours and nature hikes," or stand on long lines for concerts, shows and movies.

I have a friend, Liliana, who is a stage four cancer victim and uses  a walker to get around.  She likes to sit down and feed ducks and geese in Central Park. (She was also one of the people who helped me save starving birds on icy Reservoir in 2015.)

Liliana had a letter published in the NY Daily News last month, opposing feeding ban.

She received a call two weeks ago from Christina Kim of the Mayor's office. Ms. Kim told Liliana that instead of feeding birds, she should "Go on a nature hike with birders" or "Volunteer at the WBF."

Such is truly insult to a disabled, elderly cancer victim.
Is this what the Mayor means by "Education?" - - Insulting seniors?

In addition to disrespect and insult to the infirm and elderly for whom feeding birds is often their only joy in life, a feeding ban would also be harmful to many city children whose only connection to animals and nature are the ducks in the park. One young mother told me her little girl "looked forward all week" to coming to Harlem Meer on weekends to feed the ducks. (They were not allowed pets in their apartment and could not afford trips to the country.)  Are these the people parks seek to criminalize and punish?

Children learning sharing and compassion early in life are more likely to grow up to be generous, caring adults.  By contrast, children hurling sticks and rocks at park wildlife are more likely to later become troubled teens and adults. Those are facts.

Arguments of Ban Supporters and Why They Need to be Rejected.

1-- "Bird and Squirrel Feeders are Responsible for Trash and Rats in Parks. "

This is a shameful example of scapegoating innocent people for failures of parks to do proper clean-up of debris. Bird feeders are not responsible for all the balls, balloons, bottles, diapers, fishing lines, old shoes and other garbage dumped in parks and lakes. Virtually ALL foods put out by birders are quickly consumed by the intended wildlife. Bread especially is devoured with barely a crumb left.
Moreover, to imply that there are hoards of people feeding wildlife and trashing parks is the worst of exaggeration and outright lie.
Less than 1% of people who go to parks feed wildlife.

2-- "Feeding Bread or Other Human Food Harms Wildlife and Causes Angel Wing."

Angel Wing occurs most frequently in domestic ducks and geese raised for meat or eggs. These birds are NOT fed bread or other human foods. Studies show the deformity is most often caused by genetic factors, high density crowding, lack of exercise and movement, stress, heat and too much protein in diet. (Bread is low in protein.)

In terms of Park wildlife, mallards are most frequently fed bread, and they rarely, if ever get Angel Wing. 

This argument (though spread widely over the Internet) is completely bogus and refuted by scientific studies, evidence and observations. Though Angel Wing does occur sometimes in wild Canada geese, this is most likely due to lack of variable gene pool, exposure to chemicals in grass, stress, genetics or unknown factors. 

Most research papers say, "more studies need to be done."

This past winter, swans in the UK started dying after a successful public "No Bread" campaign. Officials then requested people start feeding bread again. Better bread than starvation. It does no harm.

The fact is, people have been feeding bread to ducks, geese and swans for hundreds of years without ill effect.


3-- "Feeding Causes Overpopulation and Birds Not to Migrate"

Migratory patterns are established over thousands of years and are NOT impacted at all by human feeding!   Despite feeding, I was able to predict within days when migratory ducks and geese would leave Central Park, (mid-March), as well as when goose parents and their goslings would depart.  (When babies are 11-weeks-old.)

This argument bears no merit whatsoever.

Mr. XXXX, I submit that instead of seeking ways to shock the rest of the country with this absurd, reckless and cruel feeding ban, you should better equip Park Rangers with boats, nets and training for water bird rescues, along with access to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir for rescue of migratory birds. People should NOT have to helplessly watch innocent birds die on the water or ice in a world famous location.

I also submit that you should do a better job of picking up discarded fishing lines in parks that DO injure and harm wildlife, as well as  addressing harm and injury done to park goers from speeding bikes and vicious crimes.

Senior citizens and children feedIng birds are the very LEAST of NYC Park problems.

Mayor deBlasio, Park Officials and other ban supporters should be utterly ashamed of themselves on this.

I thank God I moved out of NYC to a city that welcomes and cares for its park wildlife, as well as welcomes wildlife feeders. I never thought that when leaving NYC a year ago, I would still be fighting for its park wildlife 14 months later.

Sincerely.....


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