The Alberta government has reported a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears killed by hunters under its authorization 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 taken down within the last three-and-a-half months, primarily due to livestock predation.
Since its establishment in June 2024, the program has resulted in the hunting of 14 grizzly bears by selected Alberta hunters. Of these, only one bear was hunted in 2025. The province selects qualified hunters as part of its pool of “problem wildlife” responders, who are called upon when deemed necessary to deal with situations involving the killing of grizzly bears.
The Alberta Ministry of Forestry and Parks emphasized that their approach to wildlife management is science-based, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and the recovery of grizzly bear populations. Grizzly bear deaths authorized through the program have occurred outside designated recovery areas, aligning with the province’s Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.
Grizzly bears have been classified as a threatened species in Alberta since 2010. The province manages grizzly bear populations according to provincial guidelines, considering factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans when responding to incidents. The province highlighted that an average of 11 grizzly bears were lethally removed annually between 2021 and 2025.
While the number of grizzly bears killed through the Wildlife Management Responder Network has increased, the total human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower than usual. The province stated that the grizzly bear management plan is successfully achieving recovery goals and employing proactive approaches where necessary to manage conflicts effectively.
In southwestern Alberta, where the majority of grizzly bear killings have occurred, there is a high density of grizzly bear population. Wildlife biologist Andrea Morehouse explained that this region is part of a larger international bear population extending into British Columbia and Montana. Effective wildlife coexistence measures are essential in areas where grizzly bear ranges overlap with populated regions.
The province highlighted the importance of managing grizzly bear-human interactions in rural communities and announced investments to enhance wildlife coexistence in southwestern Alberta. Despite an estimated population of around 1,000 grizzlies in Alberta, no recent provincial grizzly bear population study has been conducted since 2018.