What is a common consequence of wildlife feeding in urban areas?

The choice highlighting increased wildlife-human interactions is significant because feeding wildlife in urban settings leads to animals becoming more accustomed to human presence, often approaching people for food. This behavior can alter their natural foraging patterns, making them reliant on human-provided food sources instead of seeking out their natural diet.

As animals begin to regularly interact with humans in search of food, this can lead to a variety of issues, including potential conflicts. For example, wildlife may become more aggressive or territorial if they feel threatened while looking for food, or they may cause damage to property in their search for easy meals. This tendency can create challenges for both wildlife and humans, potentially leading to safety concerns and necessitating management measures to mitigate these interactions.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately depict the typical outcomes of wildlife feeding. Increased biodiversity, reduced conflicts, and decreased pest populations are not generally associated with the feeding of urban wildlife. Instead, feeding practices disrupt natural behaviors and ecosystems, often resulting in the opposite effects of those suggested.