Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are reaching out to the public for help following the discovery of a deceased grizzly bear with a gunshot wound last autumn. The incident was reported by a hunter on November 25 near Honey Coulee, a popular trail area located approximately 110 kilometers south of Calgary. Officials determined that the grizzly had been shot sometime between November 8 and 20.
Grizzly bear hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, as these animals are classified as a threatened species by the provincial government. The illegal hunting of grizzly bears not only impacts the ecosystem but also law-abiding hunters. Such actions undermine conservation efforts, jeopardize wildlife population management, and may lead to more stringent regulations affecting lawful hunters.
The Report A Poacher program in the province offers rewards to individuals who provide information leading to charges being filed. Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke emphasized the significance of illegal grizzly bear shootings due to these creatures’ low reproductive rates and at-risk status. Clarke recalled several cases during his career involving grizzly bears being unlawfully shot, highlighting the challenges in distinguishing grizzlies from black bears in certain hunting areas.
Investigations by Fish and Wildlife typically involve examining the scene for evidence like tire marks or footprints, engaging with local residents, and identifying hunters with black bear licenses in the vicinity. However, the circumstances surrounding the grizzly’s shooting, including the possibility that it was wounded and moved from the scene before dying, may complicate pinpointing the exact location of the incident.
The government of Alberta tracks grizzly bear fatalities in the region, with vehicle collisions being the primary cause of mortality from 2013 to 2022. During this period, 58 instances of illegal killing and six cases of mistaken identity, where grizzlies were confused with black bears, were documented.
