Apples dumped in Creekside neighbourhood earlier this week. (Photo Courtesy, Dave Branco)

By Veronica Beltran

illegal dumping

Conservation Officers remind public of consequences to illegally dumping food in lieu of hike in bear activity

Aug 16, 2019 | 12:16 PM

PRINCE GEORGE–Conservation officers are reminding the public to be diligent when it comes to how they dispose of unwanted fruit, in lieu of a recent hike in bear activity.

Conservation officers say that they have seen a recent spike in bear related calls over the past week, with 10 calls in one day. They believe this is due to bears looking for easy meals in order to bulk up for the winter season.

Box of apples dumped in Creekside neighbourhood earlier this week.

A box of apples was discovered dumped in the Creekside neighbourhood earlier this week, Sgt. Steve Ackles a Conservation Officer in the City of Prince George says that this type of activity can lead to the attraction of unwanted wildlife, posing a danger to the public. He mentions that taking fruit from your backyard and moving it to someone else’s isn’t fixing the problem, instead, it moves it to a new location.

Ackles says that anyone “attracting dangerous wildlife to land or premise…could receive a $230 fine under the Wildlife Act,” and urges the community to contact them (Conservation Office) with photos or video. “Don’t approach them, but please get us as much information as you can, take a photo of the license plate, take a photo of the person doing it…if you’re at a safe distance,” he said to us on an on camera interview.

Spruce Kings

Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery is back

1h ago

Our Children Our Way rejects settlement offer

2h ago

BC Assembly of First Nation looks forward to new relationship with government

3h ago

Since the bears came out of hibernation earlier this year, Ackles says they have had to put 14 down so far in the City of Prince George, “euthanizing a bear is a last resort, and it is based on the bear’s behaviour….what people have allowed it ot get to.”

Ackles is asking the public to be diligent of how they rid themselves of their garbage, more information on what to do with spare fruits can be found here.