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Comment by gerbilly | Hacker News Reader

Reposting from below.

Eastern grey squirrels were deliberately introduced into city parks for the enjoyment of people.[1]

Also wild animals are flexible enough in their behaviour to accommodate interactions with humans.

If you observe them carefully, you can see them switch from 'normal' behaviour to the behaviour they use when interacting with people.

It's kind of like when you speak two languages and can switch from one to the other in an instant.

[1] The Urbanization of the Eastern Gray Squirrel in the United States Etienne Benson J Am Hist (2013) 100 (3): 691-710.

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Sure, but that's not really relevant here. The parent still considers them 'wild' despite providing alternate food source which changes their behavioral patterns.

Somewhat similar to photographers baiting animals for more dramatic photos: https://www.audubon.org/news/why-you-shouldnt-feed-or-bait-o...

If you want to keep wildlife truly wild you should do your part to minimize the impact you have on their habitats and behaviors.

> The parent still considers them 'wild' despite providing alternate food source which changes their behavioral patterns.

Who says this is changing their behavioural patterns? Maybe native people in north america have been randomly feeding grey squirrels for thens of thousands of years.

Maybe for longer in Eurasia?

In fact if it weren't in the animals behavioural repertoire to recognise the opportunity of taking food from people, then we wouldn't even be able to get them to understand.

> Who says this is changing their behavioural patterns?

Can you guarantee 100% that is isn't? No, of course not. Then just leave them alone. What is it with people feeling they can just constantly interfere with animals lives. These are not your pets, not your playthings to do as you wish.

You must be a vegan to hold such strong opinions on this. I wonder how widely your view is shared by other vegans... I certainly see no problem with offering an animal food, though I wouldn't cage or otherwise forcibly tame an animal.

>Eastern grey squirrels were deliberately introduced into city parks for the enjoyment of people.[1]

Did not know — thanks for this.

Also, this has to be the dumbest move in the history of urban planning (considering squirrels track record as an invasive species). It'd appear someone didn't think this through 100%.

Where is the zoologist on the city board when you need one, right?

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