Dolphins that once sought out fish in the wild now go up to boats open-mouthed, begging for food. Though alligators are efficient predators in the Everglades, they leap out of the water to chase hooked fish on fishermen's rods.

Across the country, animals have become increasingly accustomed to human presence, often resulting in a change of behavior. Handouts of food to animals are detrimental to their survival.

As people are moving farther from the cities, citing of animals looking to humans for food are occurring at an increasing frequency during recent years.

It turns out that wildlife experts now have to re-train animal enthusiasts not to feed wild animals. Government agencies are planning seminars about creating awareness about the dangers of feeding dolphins and alligators, in particular.

Despite signs implicating dangers, people in the U.S. tend to feed manatees, dolphins and alligators in the wild, in violation of the law.

Frank Mazzotti, a wildlife scientist at University of Florida, is developing a survey for visitors to natural habitats. He told the New York Times, "I wouldn't be surprised to find people feed wildlife because they think that's something they can do to save wildlife."

He continued, "Animals remember how they get fed and where they get food with amazing ability, very quickly."

Dolphins often associate a boat with a meal. The animals are highly intelligent and have the distinct ability to learn new behaviors. A tourism industry grew around the phenomenon of boat operators tempting dolphins with food.

As another example, bears in Yosemite National Park have been known to become addicted to junk food, ripping off car doors and smashing windows to scavenge for what's inside. The problem had to be addressed with an education campaign, urging caution in bear territory.