Schultheisweiher: Do not feed the birds!

Bread is not the natural food of birds; incorrectly fed and overfed animals easily become ill. Furthermore, some of the "food" thrown into the water is not eaten, but sinks to the bottom and pollutes the water's oxygen balance.

The biodegradation of 1.5 kg of bread consumes more than 1 kg of oxygen - this can completely deoxygenate over 100 m³ of water! Fish mortality, the formation of sludge and the complete clouding of the water due to algae blooms are possible consequences. Feeding fish can be equally damaging to the water.

In addition, an unnaturally large number of waterfowl gather at the feeding sites, which facilitates the transmission of infectious diseases (e.g. salmonella).

The contact of the animals with bird droppings and spoiled food residues also promotes the development of diseases (e.g. botulism). Bird deaths can be the result, but human infections are also to be feared (e.g. children playing!). In bathing lakes, water pollution can lead to a bathing ban (source: LUWG Rhineland-Palatinate).

• Help protect nature and waterways!
• Give the fish oxygen to breathe!
• Do not feed waterfowl and fish - the animals find enough food!
• Feeding is harmful to waters and wildlife, not beneficial!