A new wildlife law in Costa Rica may effectively ban all bird feeders and could have an impact on avitourism. According to A.M. Costa Rica, the law's language is vague and only refers to "unwarranted feeding of wildlife" including as a tourist attraction. Many birding-friendly resorts use feeders to give guests intimate views of tropical species, and without those feeders, the resorts' popularity could suffer.
Other wildlife feeding is often misused in Costa Rica, including feeding monkeys and crocodiles, and it may be this is the type of feeding the law hopes to eliminate. The Costa Rican Ornithological Association is planning to lobby for more defined language and hopes to have some input into the law's enforcement.
Would you be more likely to stay at a resort that was bird-friendly and had feeders for wild birds? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Yellow-Throated Euphonia at a Feeder
Photo © Miles Tuttle
Comments
I see no reason not to feed the birds. With the wide spread use of insecticides and chemicals a majority of the natural food for wildlife has been wiped out.. Feeding them assures they will continue to thrive.