A Whistler resident has been slapped with $60,000 in penalties for feeding wildlife over the summer three years ago — the highest total penalty imposed under the provincial Wildlife Act.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said it began an investigation into Zuzana Stevikova in July 2018 after receiving a complaint she had been feeding black bears from her home in Whistler’s Kadenwood neighbourhood for some time.
The service alleged Stevikova was intentionally feeding black bears throughout the summer, even purchasing bulk produce — including up to 10 cases of apples, 50 pounds of carrots and up to 15 dozen eggs — weekly to feed the animals.
Feeding wildlife creates a public safety risk by conditioning bears to human food and presence, said the agency. In September 2018, officers were forced to euthanize three bears that were repeatedly visiting the area and causing damage. The animals exhibited “highly habituated behaviour” and showed no fear around people, said the service.
“Illegally feeding or placing attractants to lure dangerous wildlife, such as bears, is an extremely dangerous activity,” said Conservation Officer Service spokesman Sgt. Simon Gravel in a statement. “Once bears learn to associate humans with food, it creates a public safety risk.”
Stevikova was charged with feeding dangerous wildlife and attracting wildlife. She was sentenced this week in North Vancouver provincial court.
Charges against a co-accused, Oliver Dugan, were stayed.
The agency said it hopes the precedent-setting penalty against Stevikova would act as a deterrent for others.
