Over a year since the Alberta government introduced a group of hunters to deal with troublesome grizzly bears, the province has reported that one bear has been taken down.
The Ministry of Forestry and Parks press secretary, Michael Plenits, stated, “Four grizzly responders have responded to grizzly conflicts, resulting in the lethal removal of one grizzly bear.”
All four cases involved grizzly bears responsible for livestock killings.
During a recent legislative session, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen confirmed the killing of a bear near Twin Butte in mid-June.
Grizzly bear hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for specific cases under the Wildlife Management Responder Network program initiated in June 2024 through a ministerial order.
The program involves selected qualified hunters who may be called upon to eliminate grizzly bears deemed problematic by the province.
Although not termed a hunt, the program allows responders to retain various parts of the bear post-shooting, excluding the gallbladder.
Former officer criticizes the killing of grizzlies
Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke emphasized the importance of bear awareness to prevent human-grizzly conflicts, suggesting strategies to deter bears from populated areas to reduce the need for lethal measures.
Clarke commended the government’s financial support for implementing preventive measures like electric fences and improving livestock storage to mitigate bear conflicts.
He criticized the province’s decision to involve residents in shooting problem grizzlies instead of trained officers, suggesting it may be influenced by management and political factors.
Clarke highlighted the risk of mistakenly targeting the wrong bear, emphasizing the need for careful identification before shooting.
Minister addresses grizzly-human interactions
In an interview, Minister Loewen expressed satisfaction with the grizzly bear recovery program but raised concerns over increasing negative interactions between grizzlies and humans, prompting the Wildlife Management Responder Network’s implementation.
Loewen noted the rise in grizzly bear population and distribution, leading to encounters in more populated areas.
According to the province, the grizzly bear population has grown from around 800 to over 1,150, resulting in heightened grizzly-human conflicts.