SYDNEY, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Visitors are being reminded not to feed Australia's native wildlife, no matter how friendly they may seem, after authorities said on Friday that Kangaroos in the country's west are getting sick from eating human food.
On the white sands of Lucky Bay in Western Australia, Kangaroos are a regular feature, becoming renowned for their beachside relaxation sessions and prompting many tourists to approach for a photo.
"They've (kangaroos) certainly taken up occupation on that beach and if it's not the major tourism attraction for this part of the world, it's right up there," Ian Hughes, representative of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
While the Kangaroos are mostly comfortable with human presence and will allow people to get close for a photo, many still feel the need to ply them with snacks including bananas, nuts, carrots and even chocolate.
"We're really happy for people to take photos of the kangaroos but not through inducement of food," Hughes said.
"There's no need to feed them. The kangaroos are up close and personal without that inducement," Hughes said.
The natural diet of the kangaroos being mostly vegetation means they have sensitive digestive systems and specific dietary requirements.
While they will happily consume almost anything which is put in front of them, they are not able to process human foods or even soft fruits, which may lead to internal issues and sometimes death.
"The kangaroos will eat whatever you give them, but they have a lot of trouble digesting it, particularly stuff that's not native," Hughes said.
"Chocolate, bread and any processed foods, the kangaroos love to eat it, but they are very bad for their health," Hughes added.
