In recent months, the number of grizzly bears killed by hunters authorized by the Alberta government has notably increased. Within the current year, 13 grizzly bears have been killed through Alberta’s Wildlife Management Responder Network, with 11 of them being hunted in the last three-and-a-half months mainly due to livestock predation.
Since the program’s establishment in June 2024, a total of 14 grizzly bears have been killed by hunters, with only one being hunted in 2025. The province employs qualified Albertan hunters as “problem wildlife” responders who are selected for the program. Upon the province’s decision to authorize the killing of a grizzly bear, these hunters may be called upon to carry out the task.
The Alberta Ministry of Forestry and Parks emphasized that their wildlife management approach is science-driven, focusing on public safety, conflict reduction, and grizzly bear population recovery. The province clarified that all grizzly bear deaths resulting from the program occurred outside designated recovery areas, highlighting that the management prioritizes the recovery objectives outlined in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.
Grizzly bears were classified as a threatened species by the Government of Alberta in 2010. The management of grizzly bears in the province adheres to provincial guidelines, considering factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans when determining responses to incidents. The province disclosed that on average, 11 grizzly bears were lethally removed annually from 2021 to 2025.
Although grizzly hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, exceptions exist for Indigenous hunters engaging in harvesting for subsistence or cultural purposes. The province differentiated the grizzly removal through the Wildlife Management Responder Network from hunting, emphasizing that authorizations are granted on a case-by-case basis rather than through tags.
While the number of grizzlies killed via the wildlife responder program has risen, the province asserted that the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower than usual. The province highlighted that human-caused bear mortality has not exceeded 3.5% of the estimated population since 2010 and that the bears lethally removed in 2026 did not hinder recovery objectives.
Regarding the challenges posed by grizzly bears in southwestern Alberta, the majority of killings through the program occurred in this region, known for its high grizzly bear population density. Effective wildlife coexistence measures are deemed essential in areas where grizzly bear ranges overlap with human activities, requiring a combination of coexistence programs, population monitoring, and, when necessary, lethal removals.
In an effort to aid rural communities in managing large carnivores, including grizzlies, the provincial government announced a $700,000 investment over five years in 2024. This investment aims to implement measures like electric fencing, grain bin upgrades, and dead stock removal to prevent conflicts and protect rural properties in southwestern Alberta. The province estimates the current grizzly bear population in Alberta to be around 1,000, with the last provincial population study dating back to 2018.
