What Happens To Animals In The Wild When They Get Too Old? (birds, wildlife)

[tijlover]

This had been a curiosity of mine for some time, but I didn't know where to stick this post, so if the Moderator can find a more suitable forum for this, feel free to move it.

Yes, when a bear, deer, bird, or any other wild creature gets too old to move around any more, or a bird that can't fly anymore, what becomes of them? As for Pets, when one of our pets gets too old, we simply take it to a Vet to have it euthanized. But there's no one in the wilds to do that for these creatures. They suffer to the very end? Is it possible for any of them to commit suicide when they know their lives are coming to an end?

I was walking last night and spotted a dead bird below a tree. Too old to fly anymore? I watch these hummingbirds feed on my plants every day and I wonder, what happens when these racy creatures can't race anymore?

Any ideas?

[greatblueheron]

Originally Posted by tijlover

This had been a curiosity of mine for some time, but I didn't know where to stick this post, so if the Moderator can find a more suitable forum for this, feel free to move it.

Yes, when a bear, deer, bird, or any other wild creature gets too old to move around any more, or a bird that can't fly anymore, what becomes of them? As for Pets, when one of our pets gets too old, we simply take it to a Vet to have it euthanized. But there's no one in the wilds to do that for these creatures. They suffer to the very end? Is it possible for any of them to commit suicide when they know their lives are coming to an end?

I was walking last night and spotted a dead bird below a tree. Too old to fly anymore? I watch these hummingbirds feed on my plants every day and I wonder, what happens when these racy creatures can't race anymore?

Any ideas?

I've wondered the same....most likely alienate themselves from others of their species and find a quiet place to rest permanently.

Best posted under Nature thread...

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by tijlover

This had been a curiosity of mine for some time, but I didn't know where to stick this post, so if the Moderator can find a more suitable forum for this, feel free to move it.

Yes, when a bear, deer, bird, or any other wild creature gets too old to move around any more, or a bird that can't fly anymore, what becomes of them? As for Pets, when one of our pets gets too old, we simply take it to a Vet to have it euthanized. But there's no one in the wilds to do that for these creatures. They suffer to the very end? Is it possible for any of them to commit suicide when they know their lives are coming to an end?

I was walking last night and spotted a dead bird below a tree. Too old to fly anymore? I watch these hummingbirds feed on my plants every day and I wonder, what happens when these racy creatures can't race anymore?

Any ideas?

I suspect many, even most, become prey before they have much of an opportunity to get old.

[PAhippo]

I agree about moving to the nature thread.


Keep in mind that it's doubtful wild animals get old the way pets get old. There's a whole lot of predators that cull herds/flocks. Not pretty but it's nature's way.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Somebody eats them, most likely before they get to the stage where they are too rheumatic to move quickly or before their eyesight fails.

[Huckleberry3911948]

This is the other wonderful part of Mother Nature they did not tell you about
You get old you get sick the young eat you
Just like us

[OBZB]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

This is the other wonderful part of Mother Nature they did not tell you about
You get old you get sick the young eat you
Just like us

Yep - correct answer!

[tijlover]

Thanks for the thought-provoking responses. I forgot about the Nature forum!

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Hidden deep deep in the deep deep woods, there are Old Bears Homes, Old Deer Homes, Old Bird Homes, with walkers, wheelchairs, nursing help, arthritis medicine...

[ClaraC]

A wildlife biologist was talking about this with me - in the wild, there are no peaceful deaths. All deaths are horrible. The best death might be getting run over by a car.

Otherwise, it's starvation, long illness, being eaten, etc.