Fish & Game: Deer Not Starving
Who Should Feed Starving Wildlife?
POSTED: 4:43 p.m. PST November 21, 2003
UPDATED: 4:46 p.m. PST November 21, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- Hundreds of thousands of acres were blackened by the fires. Homes were not just destroyed, but natural habitat for wildlife, as well. But, is feeding the animals the right thing to do?
Burned hillsides on the outskirts of Poway are about as barren as it gets, 10News reported. The fire consumed all vegetation in its path and there are worries that it is still inflicting a toll.
Three young deer look to find food on the scorched earth at Gooden Ranch outside Poway. An inch or two of grass has already begun to sprout but they opt to eat some hay left by animal lovers.
During the wildfires, many deer died. But, the many that did survive are having a tough time foraging for grass and grain. The thought of the wildlife not having enough food to survive, has sparked intense feelings among animal lovers.
"These animals are dying. We take care of people but nothing for the deer and it pains my heart," said one animal lover who deposited hay until he was ordered to stop by the Department of Fish and Game.
According to 10News, it is not a black and white issue of food or starvation. There are other elements that need to be considered.
A Fish and Game spokesperson said, alfalfa hay is likely to be too rich for the deer's digestive system. It draws other critters and predators, and the deer could become dependant.
And although a lot of the land is black, there is nourishment to be found.
Tim Dillingham, a Fish and Game biologist, said, "A lot of what they'll do is, move to edge of fire and find pockets of vegetation. For the most part, they live off fat stores for the short term."
However, not everyone takes the Fish and Game assessment as gospel.
Poway City Councilwoman Betty Rexford said, "This is extraordinary. We need to give a helping hand or have dead deer on the side of the road."
The new grass will be plentiful within one week, 10News was told. There is also a report of a buck found dead recently in Poway. The rumor is that it starved to death. But Fish and Game said it is much more likely that it died of injuries sustained in the fire.
Burned hillsides on the outskirts of Poway are about as barren as it gets, 10News reported. The fire consumed all vegetation in its path and there are worries that it is still inflicting a toll.
Three young deer look to find food on the scorched earth at Gooden Ranch outside Poway. An inch or two of grass has already begun to sprout but they opt to eat some hay left by animal lovers.
During the wildfires, many deer died. But, the many that did survive are having a tough time foraging for grass and grain. The thought of the wildlife not having enough food to survive, has sparked intense feelings among animal lovers.
"These animals are dying. We take care of people but nothing for the deer and it pains my heart," said one animal lover who deposited hay until he was ordered to stop by the Department of Fish and Game.
According to 10News, it is not a black and white issue of food or starvation. There are other elements that need to be considered.
A Fish and Game spokesperson said, alfalfa hay is likely to be too rich for the deer's digestive system. It draws other critters and predators, and the deer could become dependant.
And although a lot of the land is black, there is nourishment to be found.
Tim Dillingham, a Fish and Game biologist, said, "A lot of what they'll do is, move to edge of fire and find pockets of vegetation. For the most part, they live off fat stores for the short term."
However, not everyone takes the Fish and Game assessment as gospel.
Poway City Councilwoman Betty Rexford said, "This is extraordinary. We need to give a helping hand or have dead deer on the side of the road."
The new grass will be plentiful within one week, 10News was told. There is also a report of a buck found dead recently in Poway. The rumor is that it starved to death. But Fish and Game said it is much more likely that it died of injuries sustained in the fire.Copyright 2003 by TheSanDiegoChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
