The Alberta government is creating a new network of wildlife management responders to help stop dangerous and deadly grizzly bear attacks on people and livestock.
“The loss of even one human life because of a grizzly bear attack is one too many,” Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen said in a news release. “We are taking a proactive approach to help Albertans co-exist with wildlife through our new wildlife management program.”
Alberta recorded three attacks in 2020 and nine in 2021 by black and grizzly bears, contributing to a total of 104 attacks from 2000 to 2021.
In 2023-’24 120 head of livestock were killed by black and grizzly bears including 97 cattle, 23 sheep, one goat and 21 hogs. Losses amounted to $153,649.
Recent conflicts between grizzly bears and humans have been predatory in nature and have not been related to the protection of cubs or food sources.
Additionally, agricultural losses due to elk foraging on crops are increasing.
In 2023-’24 reported crop losses totalled $13.3-million.
Under the new system, when a problem animal like a grizzly or elk is identified, network members will help provide rapid conflict response times across Alberta.
The response could include tracking and euthanizing a problem animal, while still following all rules and regulations already in place.
So far in 2024, there have been significantly more reports than usual of problematic — and dangerous — grizzly-human and grizzly-animal interactions as well agricultural losses due to elk foraging.
“Losses suffered due to predation can be a significant blow to ranchers and farmers,” Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson said. “This new program will reduce the number of losses, protect farms, and help producers avoid conflicts with wildlife.”
The government will continue to fund educational initiatives to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
The Community Bear Smart Grant Program has received $100,000.
Other initiatives include the Waterton Biosphere’s Carnivores and Communities program, which offers ranchers and rural Albertans methods of preventing conflicts and losses due to carnivores.
Programs like the Wildlife Aversion Program have been successful in conditioning wildlife to avoid areas commonly used by people.
“Due to the increasing number of grizzly bears and the expansion of their territories, there is a heightened safety issue for rural Alberta residents,” MD of Pincher Creek Reeve Dave Cox said. “I am pleased to see this new program from the Alberta government, our wildlife officers will now be able to respond to other important issues.”
This Alberta government graphic shows the differences between black and grizzly bears.
