B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) is investigating after a video was posted on Facebook last week.
The video, which was removed but was provided to Global News by the COS, shows a person hand-feeding a bear on Highway 4 near Tofino. A man can be saying “do you want another one there bud?” as he feeds the bear a rice cake.
The COS is now looking for the person in the video.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the COS said:
Feeding bears is illegal under the BC Wildlife Act and is extremely dangerous for the public and the bear. The animal in this photo may hurt someone else trying to get more unnatural food or by causing a traffic accident. The bear is also at risk of getting hit by a vehicle as it approaches or crosses the highway for a food reward. Feeding bears also results in them getting food conditioned and habituated leading to further conflict.
In 2015, two Kamloops residents were fined $345 for intentionally feeding a black bear in Whistler.
Environmental violations can be reported 24/7 to the COS hotline at 1-877-952-7277.