Two Kamloops residents have been charged after they were caught feeding a bear in Whistler.
Image Credit: B.C. Conservation Officer Service
September 30, 2015 - 4:17 PM
KAMLOOPS - Two Kamloops residents visiting Whistler have been charged after being caught feeding a bear from their car.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the Kamloops residents were observed tossing food out the vehicle window on Callaghan Road in Whistler while a bear ate the food.
The person who noticed the incident provided the conservation service with a vehicle description, plate number and photo on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Fines of $345 were issued under the Wildlife Act for intentionally feeding dangerous wildlife.
Bears habituated to human food or garbage become food-conditioned are more likely to approach humans. The conservation office warns bears can become habituated after just one encounter with 'non-natural food' and often end up having to be put down because relocating them does not work once they get a taste of it.
'A fed bear is a dead bear.'
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015