Grizzly killings rise under Alberta’s responder program despite recovery claims

In 2024, Alberta’s Wildlife Management Responder Network authorised the killing of 13 grizzly bears, and 11 of those deaths occurred within the last three‑and‑a‑half months.

The program began in June 2024; since then a total of 14 bears have been killed, with only one removal recorded in 2025.

According to the province, livestock predation was identified as the leading reason for the recent removals, though it was not the cause in every case.

The responder network relies on qualified Albertan hunters who are called on a case‑by‑case basis. All of the killings have taken place outside designated recovery areas, mainly in southwestern Alberta, where bear density is the highest in the province.

Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks says human‑caused bear mortality in 2026 is the second‑lowest level since 2010, and notes that an average of 11 grizzlies were lethally removed each year between 2021 and 2025, suggesting the province is meeting its recovery objectives.

Critics argue that the spike in lethal removals reflects a conflict‑driven management approach that can undermine long‑term recovery, especially because the removals are concentrated where bears and livestock overlap.

The contrast between rising killings and official recovery messages highlights the challenge of balancing public safety, agricultural interests, and conservation goals in Alberta’s bear country.

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