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Santa Monica Bans Feeding Squirrels After Junk Food Boom

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

On June 8, Santa Monica officials asked visitors not to feed squirrels at Palisades Park because feeding junk food spurred a boom.
City posted signs last year that continue to advise against feeding, avoids poisons or traps due to California bans, and applies Delta Dust to burrows.
Wildlife rehab director Marcia Rybak says stopping feeding would let the population decline naturally, noting that a birth-control plan floated 20 years ago was never implemented.

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Story summary

On June 8, Santa Monica officials asked visitors not to feed squirrels at Palisades Park because feeding junk food spurred a boom.
City posted signs last year that continue to advise against feeding, avoids poisons or traps due to California bans, and applies Delta Dust to burrows.
Wildlife rehab director Marcia Rybak says stopping feeding would let the population decline naturally, noting that a birth-control plan floated 20 years ago was never implemented.