The Alberta government has seen a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears killed by hunters authorized under the Wildlife Management Responder Network in recent months. This year, 13 grizzly bears have been hunted down through this program, with 11 of them being taken in the last three-and-a-half months mainly due to livestock predation. Since the launch of the program in June 2024, a total of 14 grizzly bears have been eliminated by hunters, with only one being killed in 2025.
The province’s pool of “problem wildlife” responders comprises skilled Albertan hunters selected for the program. When deemed necessary by the province, these hunters may be called upon to address situations where a grizzly bear needs to be put down. The provincial ministry emphasized that their wildlife management approach is science-driven, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and grizzly bear population recovery.
According to the province, all grizzly bear deaths through the program have occurred outside designated recovery areas. Grizzly bears were classified as a threatened species by the Alberta government in 2010. The Ministry of Forestry and Parks highlighted that the management of grizzly bears adheres to provincial guidelines, taking into account factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans when deciding on responses to incidents.
Although grizzly hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for Indigenous hunters for subsistence or cultural reasons, the removal of grizzlies through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is not considered a hunt, as authorizations are case-specific rather than tag-based. The province stated that while the number of grizzlies killed through the program has risen, the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower than in previous years.
The majority of grizzly bear incidents in the program occur in southwestern Alberta, an area with a high grizzly bear population density. This region, according to research, is part of a larger international bear population extending into southeastern British Columbia and Montana. Effective wildlife coexistence measures are crucial in areas where grizzly bear ranges intersect with human settlements and activities, such as ranches and livestock operations.
The province underscored its commitment to achieving recovery goals for grizzly bears and implementing proactive management strategies where necessary. It emphasized the need for tailored management options in areas where agricultural activities overlap with grizzly habitats. The provincial government has invested in programs to enhance wildlife coexistence and conflict mitigation in southwestern Alberta, aiming to protect rural properties from large carnivores like grizzly bears. While an estimated 1,000 grizzlies inhabit Alberta today, the province has not conducted a grizzly bear population study since 2018.