When Feeding Bears is More Than Just Reckless –

🐻 When Feeding Bears is More Than Just Reckless – It Could Be Deadly

By Zipolita (Tina Winterlik)
July 24, 2025

I just read an article in the North Shore News about a man convicted of feeding bears near the Capilano River. He left piles of food out in the open—an area frequented by hikers, dog walkers, and children.

And now he’s failed to appear for sentencing.

This is more than just breaking the law. This is endangering the lives of wild animals and humans. When people feed wildlife, they condition them to associate food with humans. That almost always ends with the animal being euthanized.

And I have to ask:
Why was he doing this? What were his real motives?

We know that globally, bears are poached for their paws and internal organs. There is a black market for bear gallbladders, paws, and even meat. How do we know this wasn’t part of something more sinister?

And if this man is not a Canadian citizen—if he is here on a visa or residency— he should be deported. Not just for feeding wildlife, but for failing to show up for sentencing, a basic responsibility in any legal process.

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📣 A Call to Action

I'm calling on the following people and agencies to take this seriously:

• The Honourable George Heyman, BC Minister of Environment
• BC Conservation Officer Service
• West Vancouver Police Department
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• Public Prosecution Service of Canada

We need:

1. A thorough investigation into this individual’s background and activities.
2. To know if there are ties to wildlife trafficking.
3. Stronger penalties for people who bait or habituate wildlife.
4. Policies that consider deportation for non-citizens who deliberately endanger public safety and protected species.

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🐾 Protect the Animals. Protect the People.

Too many bears have already died this year because of humans. These animals aren’t dangerous until we make them that way. If someone lures them in with food, they’re sentencing that bear to death—and putting all of us at risk.

Enough is enough.

Let’s make this case a turning point.

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🖋️ Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
💻 zipolita.com
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