Bear destroyed, business owner charged

A business owner in the south end of Penticton is facing charges under the provincial Wildlife Act for allegedly failing to secure garbage bins that attracted unwanted attention from a bear that has now been destroyed.

Conservation officer Mike Stern said the twoyear-old bear, which had been hanging around the area of the Riva Ridge mobile home park for about a month, was euthanized Wednesday morning to protect public safety.

“Due to the habituation and daytime activities, the bear had to be destroyed,” said Stern.

The officer declined to name the business involved, but said it had been issued an order, which went unheeded, to secure its garbage bins.

As a result, Stern was expecting charges to be approved Thursday of attracting dangerous wildlife and failing to comply with a dangerous wildlife protection order.

The minimum fine on each count is $2,000, up to a maximum of $200,000 and two years in jail.

Stern recommended businesses store garbage in a locked shed or garage. If it must be kept outside, it should be stored in a locked bin. Food scraps or other bear attractants should be kept in a freezer and only placed out on collection day.

To report dangerous wildlife, poachers or polluters, call 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 from your cell phone.