Kids want to toss bread to the temple pond fish and turtles — harmless or actually bad for them?
Temple tank with fish and a few turtles. Vendor selling bread bags at the steps. Kids are excited. Guide shrugged. I have read feeding wild animals is wrong, but this feels like a local tradition. Do we buy one bag, ask them not to, or is there a better way to let kids enjoy the pond without junk food for the animals?
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4 Answers from travellers
Skip the bread. Temple pond fish and turtles get overloaded with carbs from tourist bags; it dirties the water and teaches kids the wrong lesson. Enjoy watching from the steps, take photos without crumbs, and explain that feeding is not kindness here. Vendors sell bread because it earns money, not because the animals need it. If the kids need an activity, count species or sketch — do not invent a sacred loophole for bread crusts.
Redirected our kids to count turtles instead. Guide later said thanks — bread bags pile up on busy days.
No bread bought. Kids sulked two minutes then watched a turtle surface. Worth it.
Same no for feeding near shrines — quiet respect beats snack entertainment.
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