The Alberta government has reported a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears killed by hunters under its Wildlife Management Responder Network in recent months. This year, a total of 13 grizzly bears have been killed through the program, 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 bear fatalities by authorized hunters, with only one recorded in 2025. The province’s “problem wildlife” responders, comprising skilled Albertan hunters selected for the initiative, are called upon by the government when deemed necessary to eliminate grizzly bears in specific situations.
The provincial ministry emphasizes that its approach to wildlife management is science-based, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and grizzly bear population recovery. Grizzly bears, listed as a threatened species in Alberta since 2010, fall under provincial guidelines for management, considering factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans in decision-making processes.
Although grizzly hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for Indigenous harvesting, the removal of grizzlies through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is not classified as hunting but as targeted actions on a case-by-case basis. The province mentions that while the number of grizzlies killed through the program has risen, the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is relatively low compared to previous years.
Most of the grizzly bear deaths through the program have occurred in southwestern Alberta, known for its high grizzly bear population density according to research. The region’s unique landscape creates challenges as grizzly habitats overlap with populated areas, necessitating effective wildlife coexistence strategies for rural communities. Various measures, including coexistence programs, conflict mitigation efforts, and population monitoring, are considered essential for managing human-bear interactions effectively.
The provincial government has allocated funds to implement initiatives to prevent conflicts between large carnivores, including grizzlies, and rural properties in southwestern Alberta. Despite estimates suggesting about 1,000 grizzlies in Alberta presently, there hasn’t been a comprehensive provincial grizzly bear population study since 2018.
