Canadian woman is fined $60,000 for feeding black bears 180 eggs, 10 cases of apples and 50 pounds of carrots a WEEK and 'creating public safety risk' that forced them to euthanize the bears

A Canadian woman was hit with a $60,000 fine for feeding wild black bears a veritable feast, 'creating a public safety risk' that forced officials to euthanize the animals. 

Whistler resident Zuzana Stevikova is accused of violating the Wildlife Act in British Columbia after purchasing ten cases of apples, 50 pounds of carrots and 180 eggs per week to feed the wild animals during the summer of 2018. 

In July 2018, the Conservation Officer Service - an agency that investigates human-wildlife conflict prevention - received a complaint that someone had been feeding black bears in the Kadenwood neighborhood, according to the agency's Facebook page. 

The illegal feeding led to three black bears, pictured, being euthanized after they became so used to their weekly feedings that they no longer showed fear of humans

Pictured: one of the three black bears that officials were forced to euthanize after a Canadian woman fed them throughout the summer of 2018

Their investigation determined that Stevikova was feeding the animals on her property throughout the summer of 2018, and would purchase more food for the bears every week. 

Stevikova was charged with leaving 'matter to attract dangerous wildlife,' and 'feeding or attempt to feed dangerous wildlife.'

'Bulk produce — including up to 10 cases of apples, 50 pounds of carrots and up to 15 dozen eggs — was purchased on a weekly basis to feed the bears,' the Conservation Officer Service said Friday on Facebook. 

'These activities created an extraordinary public safety risk by conditioning bears to human food and presence.' 

Another co-accused Canadian, Oliver Dugan, was hit with similar charges, however his charges were stayed, meaning the Crown has decided not to prosecute his case, as per Canadian law, according to the Vancouver Sun.

'The suspects allegedly purchased large quantities of apples, carrots, pears, eggs and almonds to leave out for the animals,' officials explained in the Facebook post.  

The illegal feeding led to three black bears being euthanized after they became so used to their weekly feedings that they no longer showed fear of humans while causing property damage throughout the neighborhood. 

'Illegally feeding or placing attractants to lure dangerous wildlife, such as bears, is an extremely dangerous activity,' Conservation Officer Service Sgt. Simon Gravel said on Facebook. 

'Once bears learn to associate humans with food, it creates a public safety risk.'

$60,000 is the highest penalty ever imposed under the Wildlife Act, with authorities claiming the case as 'precedent-setting' for anyone similarly charged in the future.