Videos Show Illegal Hand-Feeding of Grizzly Bears in Smithers Area: Conservation Service
Conservation officers say the act is illegal and can bring fines of up to $50,000.
- The Conservation Officer Service is investigating a viral Facebook video appearing to show a tourist feeding a grizzly bear near Smithers. Footage includes clips of a man offering food from a vehicle and on foot.
- Sergeant Matthew Corbett of the Conservation Officer Service confirmed the investigation, noting that feeding grizzlies is illegal. Penalties for such offenses range from a $575 violation ticket to a maximum fine of $50,000.
- Feeding bears creates significant safety risks, as habituated animals may become aggressive toward people. Conservation officers often must euthanize these animals, which suffer health issues from consuming non-natural human food.
- A 2018 case near Whistler saw a woman fined $60,000 for habitually feeding black bears. She later appealed the amount, which was eventually reduced to a $10,500 fine.
- While the Conservation Officer Service continues its open investigation into the Smithers incident, the case highlights ongoing enforcement challenges regarding human-wildlife interaction. Authorities stress that human food provides no proper nutrition for wildlife.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Conservation service investigates northern B.C. tourist for feeding grizzly - Creston Valley Advance
A video is making its rounds on social media of what appears to be a tourist feeding a grizzly bear near Smithers. There are several short clips of a man, who also flashes his boarding pass in one scene, allegedly feeding a carrot from a vehicle and then it appears he gets out and tries to feed the grizzly an apple. Sergeant Matthew Corbett of the Conservation Officer Service said he can’t speak to the incident beyond the fact that they are awar…
Conservation service investigates Smithers tourist for feeding grizzly - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
A video is making its rounds on social media of what appears to be a tourist feeding a grizzly bear near Smithers. There are several short clips of a man, who also flashes his boarding pass in one scene, allegedly feeding a carrot from a vehicle and then it appears he gets out and tries to feed the grizzly an apple. Sergeant Matthew Corbett of the Conservation Officer Service said he can’t speak to the incident beyond the fact that they are awar…
Conservation service investigates northern B.C. tourist for feeding grizzly - Grand Forks Gazette
A video is making its rounds on social media of what appears to be a tourist feeding a grizzly bear near Smithers. There are several short clips of a man, who also flashes his boarding pass in one scene, allegedly feeding a carrot from a vehicle and then it appears he gets out and tries to feed the grizzly an apple. Sergeant Matthew Corbett of the Conservation Officer Service said he can’t speak to the incident beyond the fact that they are awar…
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