Residents and visitors on the Mornington Peninsula are lucky to be able to share their environment with a diverse range of native wildlife. They have adapted to living in our suburban areas and do not need human assistance to find food. In fact, processed seeds, bread and other human food are not part of their natural diet and may make them sick.
When birds are regularly fed bread, they stop eating their nutritious natural diet, causing them to become malnourished or even choke on lumps of bread. Animals will also become dependent on humans for food and will lose their foraging instincts.
Large gatherings of birds can also cause a build-up of droppings that carry many diseases and can damage property. Food left lying around for birds may grow moulds and fungi that can be poisonous to wildlife and will encourage rodents and cockroaches into the areas.
To encourage native animals to visit your property, residents are encouraged to plant native plants and shrubs that provide both food and shelter. For a comprehensive guide to native vegetation on the Mornington Peninsula, see our Plants of the Peninsula page or check our interactive Local Native Plants Guide map.
It is an offence under Clause 26 of the Mornington Peninsula Shire's Community Amenity Local Law 2022 to feed wild or uncaged animals.