The Alberta government has seen a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears hunted by hunters authorized through the Wildlife Management Responder Network in recent months. This year, 13 grizzly bears have been killed by these hunters, with 11 of them being hunted in the last three-and-a-half months, primarily due to livestock predation.
Since the program’s establishment in June 2024, a total of 14 grizzly bears have been taken down by authorized hunters, with only one bear killed in 2025. The province’s “problem wildlife” responders, comprised of qualified Alberta hunters selected for the program, are called upon by the government when deemed necessary to handle situations involving grizzly bears.
The Alberta Ministry of Forestry and Parks stated that their approach to wildlife management is science-driven, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and grizzly bear population recovery. Although the province did not specify the exact locations or times of the recent bear killings, they confirmed that all deaths occurred outside designated recovery areas.
Grizzly bears were classified as a threatened species in Alberta in 2010, and their management is based on provincial guidelines, considering factors such as attacks on livestock, pets, or humans. The province revealed that an average of 11 grizzly bears were lethally removed each year from 2021 to 2025.
While the number of grizzly bears hunted under the Wildlife Management Responder Network has risen, the overall human-caused mortality of bears in 2026 is lower than usual, according to the province. They emphasized that their grizzly bear management plan aims to achieve recovery goals and employs proactive strategies to address conflicts and manage the bear population.
Most of the grizzly bear killings through the program have occurred in southwestern Alberta, an area with the highest grizzly bear population density in the province. Wildlife biologist Andrea Morehouse highlighted the challenges posed by having a significant bear population in the region, particularly for rural communities.
Effective coexistence measures are essential in areas where grizzly bear habitats intersect with human-populated areas like ranches and livestock operations, as noted by Jeff Bectell, the co-ordinator of the Carnivores and Communities Program in the Waterton Biosphere Region. Various solutions, including coexistence programs, conflict mitigation, and population monitoring, are necessary to manage the situation effectively.
The Alberta government announced a $700,000 investment over five years in 2024 to support efforts in keeping large carnivores away from rural properties in southwestern Alberta through initiatives such as setting up electric fencing and upgrading grain bins. The province estimates the current grizzly bear population in Alberta to be around 1,000, but no provincial population study has been conducted since 2018.
