Oregon experts: Feeding deer in winter can hurt the animals
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Oregon experts: Feeding deer in winter can hurt the animals
Associated Press - January 9, 2008 12:25 AM ET
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) - Experts say six deer recently found dead in
the Klamath Falls area likely died from the food they were given by
humans.
Liz Diver of the Badger Run Wildlife Rehabilitation Center examined
the animals' stomachs and saw things deer are not supposed to be
eating this time of year.
She said people believe they're helping deer by feeding them during
the winter, but says they get something similar to colic when fed
apples, carrots, alfalfa and grain.
Wildlife biologist Tom Collom adds that deer have complex digestive
tracts that depend on proper levels of vitamins, minerals and bacteria
to digest food.
He says a rapid change in diet inhibits the deer's ability to use the
food they take in.