ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A man featured in a recent Animal Planet series about his life among wild grizzly and black bears at his Alaska cabin has been charged with illegally feeding them dog food and cookies.
Charles E. Vandergaw’s close association with bears previously concerned wildlife authorities, and citations have been issued.
Game officials consider feeding bears a danger to humans, especially if others duplicate the behavior.
The 20 misdemeanor counts filed Friday in Palmer against Vandergaw, 70, allege he illegally fed bears from May through September 2008 at the camp he calls “Bear Haven.” The property owned by the retired Anchorage teacher and wrestling coach is about 40 miles north of the city.
Animal Planet’s six-part series “Stranger Among Bears,” which aired in April and early May, focused on the 20 years he has lived at the isolated cabin and interacted with the bears.
“The satiated bears succumb to Charlie’s affections, often taking walks with him, allowing him to pet them and even sit astride them,” according to the Animal Planet website. A message left with a show spokeswoman late Tuesday was not immediately returned.
A call left with Vandergaw’s attorney was not immediately returned Tuesday.
