Tourists visiting the Kamchatka Peninsula must strictly avoid feeding Arctic ground squirrels, locally known as evrazhka, due to the fatal consequences associated with human food. While these mountain-dwelling rodents are spotted less frequently in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve compared to local foxes and bears, they are a common sight in the Volcanoes of Kamchatka nature parks. In these popular areas, visitors frequently attempt to feed the naturally curious animals with items such as cookies and fresh bread.
Such dietary practices are highly detrimental to the wildlife. The digestive systems of Arctic ground squirrels are physiologically adapted exclusively to a plant-based diet and cannot process human foods like bread, sausage, or pastries. Consuming inappropriate items causes rapid and severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of this inflammation, the affected animals typically die within 24 hours.
When encountering these whistling rodents, individuals should observe them from a safe distance and may interact simply by whistling back. To prevent the animals from accessing harmful foods, all provisions and supplies must be securely packed and stored away during visits to the natural habitats – a necessary measure to ensure the protection and survival of the local squirrel populations.