The Alberta government has reported a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears taken down by hunters approved through the Wildlife Management Responder Network. Thirteen grizzly bears have been hunted down in Alberta this year, with eleven of them being killed in the past three-and-a-half months, mainly due to livestock predation. Since its launch in June 2024, the program has seen a total of 14 grizzly bears being hunted. Only one bear was hunted down in 2025.
The province’s team of “problem wildlife” responders comprises skilled Alberta hunters selected for the initiative. These hunters are engaged by the province to eliminate grizzly bears in specific situations deemed necessary. The provincial ministry stated that their wildlife management approach is science-driven, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and grizzly bear population recovery.
While the exact locations and timings of the recent bear killings were not disclosed, the province confirmed that all grizzly bear fatalities under the program occurred outside designated recovery zones. Grizzly bears have been classified as a threatened species in Alberta since 2010. The Ministry of Forestry and Parks mentioned that the management of grizzly bears adheres to provincial guidelines, considering factors like livestock, pet, or human attacks when responding to incidents.
Despite the surge in grizzly bear mortality through the wildlife responder program, the overall number of bears killed by humans this year remains below average. The province emphasized that human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is the second lowest since 2010 and has not impeded recovery goals. The province highlighted its proactive management strategies in addressing grizzly bear conflicts, especially in areas where agriculture and grizzly habitat intersect.
Most grizzly bear killings through the program have occurred in southwestern Alberta, an area known for its high grizzly bear population density. Wildlife biologist Andrea Morehouse pointed out that this region is part of a broader international bear population extending into southeastern British Columbia and Montana. The unique geography of southwestern Alberta results in significant overlap between grizzly bear territories and human settlements, necessitating effective wildlife coexistence measures.
The province has banned grizzly hunting since 2006, except for Indigenous hunters engaging in subsistence or cultural harvesting. The removal of grizzly bears through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is distinct from hunting, as authorizations are issued on a case-by-case basis without tags. The province highlighted its continued efforts to manage grizzly bear populations and support coexistence programs in bear-inhabited regions.
The Alberta government has invested in initiatives to mitigate conflicts between large carnivores and rural communities, including setting up electric fencing and upgrading infrastructure. While the province estimates a current grizzly bear population of around 1,000 in Alberta, a comprehensive provincial population study has not been conducted since 2018.