West Vancouver man fined $27,000 for feeding dangerous wildlife

A former North Vancouver resident, Kenneth Amaral, has been ordered to pay more than $27,000 in fines for intentionally feeding dangerous wildlife in West Vancouver. The offences occurred during April and May 2022, when Amaral left various food items—including raw chicken, sausage, and lemon meringue pie—at multiple locations along Keith Road near the Capilano River and a popular walking trail.

Motion-activated cameras deployed by the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) captured Amaral returning to the sites and recorded bears and coyotes feeding on the bait. During court proceedings, Amaral admitted to the actions, stating he knew the practice was prohibited but argued that sharing leftovers with animals that already live in the area should not be an offence.

The North Vancouver provincial court issued penalties totaling $27,000. This includes $18,000 for feeding or attempting to feed dangerous wildlife ($3,000 per day for six days) and $9,000 for leaving attractants ($1,500 per day for six days). Of the total amount, $20,000 will be directed to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, with the remaining $7,000 imposed as a fine.

Inspector Simon Gravel of the BCCOS noted that feeding wildlife can cause animals to associate humans with food, increasing the likelihood of them entering neighborhoods and creating conflict.