The Alberta government has seen a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears hunted by authorized hunters in recent months. This year, 13 grizzly bears have been hunted through Alberta’s Wildlife Management Responder Network. The majority of these kills, totaling 11 bears, occurred within the last three and a half months, primarily due to livestock predation.
Since the establishment of the program in June 2024, a total of 14 grizzly bears have been taken by hunters, with only one recorded kill in 2025. The province selects qualified Albertan hunters as part of its “problem wildlife” responders to address situations where the killing of a grizzly bear is deemed necessary.
Alberta’s approach to wildlife management, as stated by the provincial ministry, is based on scientific guidance and expert advice. The focus is on ensuring public safety, reducing conflicts, and supporting the recovery of grizzly bear populations. The province highlighted that all grizzly bear deaths resulting from the program 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 emphasized that the management of grizzly bears adheres to provincial guidelines, taking into account factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans when determining responses to incidents.
Although grizzly hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, exceptions are made for Indigenous hunters for cultural or subsistence purposes. The removal of grizzly bears through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is distinct from hunting, as authorizations are granted on a case-by-case basis rather than through traditional tags.
Despite the rise in grizzly bear killings through the wildlife responder program, the province highlighted that the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower compared to previous years. The province indicated that the management strategies in place are effectively working towards achieving recovery goals and managing grizzly bears proactively where necessary.
The majority of grizzly bear incidents have been reported in southwestern Alberta, an area with the highest grizzly bear population density in the province. Effective wildlife coexistence measures are crucial for rural communities in these regions, where the overlap between grizzly bear habitats and populated areas poses challenges.
Various solutions, including coexistence programs, conflict mitigation measures, and population monitoring, are essential to effectively manage the situation. The provincial government has allocated funds to enhance large carnivore deterrence in southwestern Alberta, aiming to protect rural properties and reduce conflicts with wildlife.
While the province estimates a current grizzly bear population of around 1,000 in Alberta, the last official population study dates back to 2018. Regular monitoring and adaptive management strategies are crucial to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of grizzly bear populations in the region.
