The Alberta government has reported a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears killed by authorized hunters in recent months. A total of 13 grizzly bears have been killed through Alberta’s Wildlife Management Responder Network this year, with 11 of them being hunted down in the last three-and-a-half months, primarily due to livestock predation.
Since its establishment in June 2024, the program has seen a total of 14 grizzly bears killed by hunters, with only one bear killed in 2025. Qualified Alberta hunters form the province’s “problem wildlife” responders, who are selected for the program. When deemed necessary, these hunters may be called upon to address situations where a grizzly bear needs to be eliminated.
The provincial ministry emphasized that its approach to wildlife management is science-based, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and the recovery of grizzly bear populations. Grizzly bears were designated as a threatened species by the Government of Alberta in 2010, and their management follows provincial guidelines that consider factors like livestock, pet, or human attacks.
Hunting grizzlies has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for Indigenous hunters for subsistence or cultural purposes. The province clarified that grizzly removal through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is not considered a hunt, as authorizations are granted on a case-by-case basis rather than through tags. The program allows responders to retain the bear’s meat, hide, and other parts excluding the gallbladder.
Despite the rise in grizzly bear killings through the wildlife responder program, the province stated that the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower than usual and is the second lowest since 2010. The province affirmed that the current bear removals do not hinder recovery objectives and acknowledged proactive management efforts to address conflicts in areas where they are prominent.
The majority of grizzly bear incidents occurred in southwestern Alberta, an area known for its high grizzly bear population density. Wildlife biologist Andrea Morehouse highlighted the costs borne by rural communities due to the presence of grizzly bears, especially in areas where bear ranges overlap with human settlements and agricultural operations.
Effective wildlife coexistence measures are vital in such regions, according to Jeff Bectell, who coordinates the Carnivores and Communities Program in the Waterton Biosphere Region. Various solutions, including coexistence programs, conflict mitigation strategies, and population monitoring, are essential for managing human-bear interactions effectively.
The province’s investment of $700,000 over five years aims to enhance measures for keeping large carnivores away from rural properties in southwestern Alberta. While the estimated grizzly bear population in Alberta stands at around 1,000, there hasn’t been a comprehensive provincial grizzly bear population study since 2018.