Two Kamloops residents charged for feeding Whistler bear

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.'

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