Photo: BCCOS

The BC Conservation Officer Service has charged Lake Okanagan Resort after failure to manage attractants led to six bears being destroyed for public safety.

Conservation officer Sgt. Jeff Hanratty says officers were forced to put down three bears Sunday, one Monday and two on Tuesday.

While the service did not name the business, neighbours have identified the resort as the culprit, and bear traps have been seen in the area.

The resort is charged in connection with attracting dangerous wildlife and was also issued a Dangerous Wildlife Protection Order. 

Fines of $230 can be levied for a first offence, with $570 fines for failing to comply with an order.

"Conservation officers had no choice after the bears had become habituated to garbage, lost their fear of humans, and were a significant public safety concern. Bears had charged at people and were climbing structures to access garbage," the service posted on its Facebook page, along with photos showing garbage strewn about the area.

"This is a long-term bear attractant issue that we were unaware of," Hanratty told Castanet when we first broke the story on Wednesday. 

The best way to keep people safe and bears from being destroyed is to secure attractants around your home or business.