Wildlife centre issues warning after reports of people feeding black bear near Kennedy Lake

It is a warning that can’t be repeated often enough.

The MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre is once again advising people not to feed bears on Vancouver Island.

“We have received reports that people waiting in line for the Highway work along Kennedy Lake on the way to Tofino have been feeding a local black bear that is in the area,” a Facebook notice posted on Friday reads.

The centre reminds people that black bears are wild animals, that anyone feeding one may be at risk of an attack, and giving them food is detrimental for the bears.

“Feeding the bear conditions it to accept food from people, so other people are at risk of an attack when they refuse food to the bear, and feeding the bear is putting the bear at high risk of having to be euthanized because it’s become a problem bear or it has attacked someone.”

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