The Alberta government has seen a significant increase in the number of grizzly bears killed by hunters authorized through the Wildlife Management Responder Network. This year, 13 grizzly bears have been hunted down, with 11 of them being taken out in the last three-and-a-half months primarily due to livestock predation.
Since the program’s launch in June 2024, a total of 14 grizzly bears have been hunted by authorized individuals. Only one bear was taken down in 2025. The Alberta government’s pool of “problem wildlife” responders comprises qualified local hunters selected for the initiative. When situations arise warranting the killing of a grizzly bear as per the province’s assessment, these hunters may be called upon.
The government’s approach to wildlife management, led by the Forestry and Parks Ministry, prioritizes scientific guidance and expert input to ensure public safety, minimize conflicts, and support the recovery of grizzly bear populations. The province clarified that all grizzly bear deaths sanctioned through the program occurred outside designated recovery zones.
Grizzly bears were classified as a threatened species by the Alberta government in 2010. Management of these bears follows provincial guidelines, considering factors like attacks on livestock, pets, or humans when deciding how to address incidents. The province reported an average of 11 grizzly bears being lethally removed annually from 2021 to 2025.
Although grizzly hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for Indigenous hunting for subsistence or cultural reasons, the removal of grizzlies through the Wildlife Management Responder Network is not categorized as hunting. The province grants authorizations on a case-by-case basis rather than through traditional tags. However, similar to sport hunting, responders can retain the bear’s meat, hide, and other parts, excluding the gallbladder.
Despite the rise in grizzly bear killings facilitated by the wildlife responder program, the province noted that the overall human-caused bear mortality in 2026 is lower than usual, ranking as the second lowest since 2010 in Alberta. The province emphasized that none of the bears lethally removed in 2026 hindered recovery objectives.
Challenges with grizzly bears have been prominent in southwestern Alberta, where most of the bear killings via the program have occurred. This region reportedly harbors the highest grizzly bear population density in the province, extending into southeastern British Columbia and Montana. Effective wildlife coexistence measures are deemed essential for rural communities dealing with these bears, necessitating various strategies such as coexistence programs, conflict mitigation, and population monitoring.
The Alberta government had announced a $700,000 investment over five years in 2024 to enhance measures keeping large carnivores away from rural properties in southwestern Alberta, including installing electric fencing, upgrading grain bins, and disposing of dead stock. The province estimates the current grizzly bear population in Alberta to be around 1,000, although no provincial grizzly bear population study has been conducted since 2018.
