Alberta Reports Killing One Grizzly Bear

Over a year following the Alberta government’s introduction of a team of hunters to deal with troublesome grizzly bears, the province has reported the killing of one bear.

According to Ministry of Forestry and Parks press secretary Michael Plenits, “To date, four grizzly responders have been called out to address grizzly conflicts, with only one grizzly bear being lethally removed.”

All four instances involved grizzly bears that had killed livestock.

During a recent session of the legislature, Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen confirmed the killing of a bear in mid-June near Twin Butte, a hamlet in Pincher Creek municipality in southern Alberta.

The hunting of grizzly bears in Alberta has been prohibited since 2006, except for specific cases through the Wildlife Management Responder Network program, which was initiated by ministerial order in June 2024.

The province’s group of “grizzly responders” comprises skilled hunters who were selected for the program. When deemed necessary to kill a grizzly bear in a certain situation, these hunters are called upon.

The program is not classified as a bear hunt, though it allows responders to retain all parts of the bear, excluding the gallbladder, after tracking and shooting it.

Ex-Fish and Wildlife Officer Criticizes Grizzly Killing

Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke emphasized the importance of preventing human-grizzly conflicts in rural Alberta by promoting bear awareness and deterring bears from populated areas to avoid the need for killings.

Clarke suggested that instead of a continuous cycle of bear killings, efforts should focus on addressing the root problems.

He cited the government’s financial assistance to deter bears from farms by installing electric fences, improving grain storage, and removing deceased livestock.

Clarke acknowledged the province’s decision to involve residents in shooting “problem” grizzlies instead of wildlife officers, attributing it to a mix of bear management and political considerations.

He highlighted that despite the program’s authorization, Alberta Fish and Wildlife euthanizes numerous grizzly bears annually.