West Vancouver man fined for repeatedly feeding black bear and cub
Posted April 21, 2023 11:24 am.
The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service says a West Vancouver man has been fined for feeding black bears at his home.
Court records show Vitali Shevchenko faced two charges under the Wildlife Act.
Court Case | A #WestVancouver man received a $5 K penalty for feeding black bears in his backyard.
Vitali Shevchenko pleaded guilty to feeding dangerous wildlife, a violation under the BC Wildlife Act. The #BCCOS investigation began in 2018 after videos surfaced on social media.— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) April 20, 2023
One charge was stayed, and Shevcheko was fined $5,000 Wednesday in provincial court in North Vancouver, after pleading guilty to the single count of feeding dangerous wildlife.
The conservation officer service says its investigation began after videos surfaced on social media in 2018.
“Feeding dangerous wildlife compromises the safety of both people & wildlife,” said #BCCOS Sgt. Simon Gravel. “The best thing people can do to help keep people safe & wildlife wild is to not feed them & secure all attractants.”
The majority of the penalty will go to the @HCTFBC pic.twitter.com/8Tj8ImN9RK
— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) April 20, 2023
The videos showed an adult and two children feeding a black bear and a cub from the window and door of a West Vancouver home.
The conservation officer service says on social media that the majority of the fine will go toward the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to support wildlife and habitat projects as well as environmental education programs.
