Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services is asking for public help following the discovery of a deceased grizzly bear with a gunshot wound last autumn, as announced in a social media update on Friday. The bear’s remains were found by a hunter on November 25 near Honey Coulee, a popular trail location approximately 110 kilometers south of Calgary.
Officials concluded that the grizzly bear had been shot sometime earlier, potentially between November 8 and 20, according to Fish and Wildlife. Grizzly bear hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, with the species classified as threatened by the provincial government.
A spokesperson from Fish and Wildlife emphasized that poaching and other illegal hunting activities not only impact the local ecosystems but also lawful hunters. These actions undermine conservation initiatives and jeopardize wildlife population management, potentially leading to more stringent regulations affecting law-abiding hunters.
Through the Report A Poacher program, individuals providing information leading to charges could qualify for a monetary reward. Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke highlighted the significance of illegal grizzly bear shootings due to the species’ low reproductive rates, making them vulnerable. Clarke recounted past cases, including intentional killings and mistaken identities with black bears.
While black bear hunting is permitted in the area where the grizzly bear was discovered, Clarke suggested the shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity, especially since the black bear hunting season ended shortly before the incident. However, examining a photo of the deceased bear, Clarke confirmed it was unmistakably a grizzly bear.
The investigation by Fish and Wildlife likely involves examining the area for evidence like tire tracks or footprints, engaging with locals, and identifying hunters with black bear licenses in the vicinity. The bear could have been shot and moved before succumbing to its injuries, complicating efforts to pinpoint the exact shooting location.
Between 2013 and 2022, the most common cause of grizzly bear mortality in Alberta was vehicle collisions. During this period, the province recorded 58 instances of illegal killings and six cases of grizzlies mistaken for black bears.
