A truck driver has been fired from his job and is currently facing charges after he was caught feeding a black bear on Cavell road on June 4.

According to Park Warden supervisor Jim Mamalis, the man was working for a sub-contractor on the Cavell road construction when he threw a sandwich at a black bear. The incident was reported to Jasper National Park wardens, who tracked down the accused. He was taken to the warden station to make a statement, and admitted to feeding the bear.

“He was brought in for a statement, and we’re now pursuing charges,” Mamalis said.

The man will be in court within the month, Mamalis said. Feeding animals in a national park carries a penalty between $2,000 and $5,000.

Cavell road is scheduled to be closed until the end of July in order for repaving and ditching work to take place. 

The incident follows a string of bear feeding reports across the mountain national parks, including a bear who was fed twice last week near the Big Bend south of the Columbia Icefields. Two other bear feeding incidents were reported in Kootenay National Park in the past week.

Mamalis isn’t sure why there has been such a string of incidents of late. There is signage at the entrance to Jasper National Park and there has been no change in the messages delivered.

Bears are currently on valley bottoms and near roads looking for food, which has resulted in several bear jams along Highway 93.