A viral video showing a tourist feeding a wild fox in southwestern China has prompted warnings from experts about the ecological and safety risks of such behavior.
The video, which has attracted more than 40,000 comments, captures a tourist offering a Chinese flatbread to a fox near a plateau scenic spot in Sichuan province.
Initially, the fox attempted to swallow the bread with the tourist's finger, later bypassing the food to bite directly at the tourist's hand. The tourist managed to pull away without injury.
"It's obvious the fox doesn't want the bread but your fingers!" one commenter quipped.
Ni Qingyong, an associate professor at Sichuan Agricultural University, told local media outlet The Cover that feeding wild animals can pose risks to humans and wildlife.
"Wild animals may bite people, potentially spreading infectious diseases. Additionally, human food often contains substances harmful to wildlife, such as bacteria, viruses or artificial additives," Ni said.
Discarded food packaging can also enter the food chain, causing environmental and ecological damage, he added.
Feeding wildlife can alter animal behavior, encouraging them to rely on humans for food instead of foraging in their natural habitats. This change can weaken their predatory instincts, disrupt the evolution of their offspring, and compromise their health and survival, according to Rigpo, head of a wildlife protection station in Qinghai province.
Human-wildlife interactions are becoming more common as conservation efforts increase wild animal sightings. In Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in Qinghai province, a wild wolf has gained online fame after regularly approaching highways to solicit food from tourists.
The wolf, once emaciated, has reportedly gained weight and learned to wag its tail and display submissive behavior to beg for food. The wolf's behavior has influenced others in the area, leading to the formation of roadside wolf packs, Rigpo said.
In July, Sanjiangyuan National Park, which encompasses the Hoh Xil reserve, banned feeding wildlife, warning that such practices disrupt natural survival instincts, harm ecosystems and jeopardize animal health. Human food, the park noted, often contains excessive sugar, salt, and fat, which can lead to obesity, organ failure and other health problems in animals.
"Wild wolves remain dangerous and unpredictable," Rigpo said. "Once they show aggression, ordinary people will be unable to defend themselves."
Experts emphasize the importance of keeping a safe distance from wildlife and avoiding interference unless an endangered species is at risk. "We must respect the natural laws of survival," Rigpo said.
Xu Nuo contributed to this story.
