A B.C. man was handed $27,000 in fines for feeding dangerous wildlife for incidents dating back to 2022.

On Tuesday, Kenneth Amaral was sentenced for feeding dangerous wildlife and leaving matter to attract dangerous wildlife in North Vancouver Provincial Court.

Witnesses reported seeing Amaral leaving food out along Keith Road in West Vancouver in spring 2022 near a popular walking trail and homes, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).

“The attractants were left in areas accessible to wildlife, and both bears and coyotes were observed feeding at the sites,” said the conservation service in a social media post Wednesday.

BCCOS officers went to investigate, and during the investigation Amaral admitted to putting out food between April 26 and May 8, 2022, “despite knowing it was prohibited and after being confronted by a member of the public.”

Conservation officers found three bait sites during their investigation, leading to the five-figure fine.

Under the BC Wildlife Act, each day an attractant is left out may constitute a separate offence, according to the BCCOS.

The fine for feeding or attempting to feed dangerous wildlife is $3,000 per day, so Amaral was handed $18,000 in fines for feeding dangerous wildlife over a six-day period.

He was also handed $9,000 in fines for leaving matter to attract dangerous wildlife over a six-day period, which comes with a fine of $1,500 per day.

Of the total $27,000 in fines, $20,000 is being sent to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, while the remaining $7,000 was left as a fine which may be subject to an additional victim fine surcharge.

“While feeding wildlife may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences,” said BCCOS Insp. Simon Gravel. 

“Bears, coyotes, and other dangerous wildlife that learn to associate people with food are more likely to enter neighborhoods and create conflicts,” he said. “To help keep communities safe and wildlife wild, never feed wild animals, keep your distance, and properly secure garbage and other attractants.”

In a video posted to social media, BCCOS Sgt. Chris Doyle added that the fine was intended to send a “strong message” to the public that feeding dangerous wildlife is a serious offence.

“Feeding dangerous wildlife puts wildlife at risk and people at risk,” he said.

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