Conflicts with
grizzlies on
the rise as bears
expand
east from Rockies
Population shows signs
of increasing
BY COLETTE DERWORIZ, CALGARY HERALD MAY 12, 2014
The 2013 annual report on the provincial Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan suggests the animal’s population is increasing in southwestern Alberta.
The number of conflicts between grizzly bears and people
is growing in southern Alberta as the bears continue to
expand eastward, according to the 2013 annual report by
the province. As part of its Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, the
province reviews conservation and management activities
each year. “It’s a great summary of the work we do,” said
Carrie Sancartier, spokeswoman for Alberta Environment
and Sustainable Resource Development, which is
responsible for the plan.The plan was implemented in
2010 when it was determined there were fewer than 700
grizzly bears in Alberta, prompting the province to list the
species as threatened and come up with strategies to
ensure their survival.
is growing in southern Alberta as the bears continue to
expand eastward, according to the 2013 annual report by
the province. As part of its Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, the
province reviews conservation and management activities
each year. “It’s a great summary of the work we do,” said
Carrie Sancartier, spokeswoman for Alberta Environment
and Sustainable Resource Development, which is
responsible for the plan.The plan was implemented in
2010 when it was determined there were fewer than 700
grizzly bears in Alberta, prompting the province to list the
species as threatened and come up with strategies to
ensure their survival.
The 2013 report confirms there was a total of 31 grizzly
bear deaths — the highest number in a decade.
Twenty-six of those deaths were caused by poachers,
motorists and landowners. Another 34 grizzly bears
were relocated after threatening public safety,
attacking livestock or damaging property. “The
majority of more serious grizzly bear occurrences .
. . were recorded in southwest Alberta, particularly
agricultural landscapes surrounding Pincher Creek
and Cardston,” notes the report, which was released
this week. “Numerous cases of livestock depredation
and property damage in the Chain Lakes area and
northern Porcupine Hills also led to several grizzly
bear relocations in 2013.
bear deaths — the highest number in a decade.
Twenty-six of those deaths were caused by poachers,
motorists and landowners. Another 34 grizzly bears
were relocated after threatening public safety,
attacking livestock or damaging property. “The
majority of more serious grizzly bear occurrences .
. . were recorded in southwest Alberta, particularly
agricultural landscapes surrounding Pincher Creek
and Cardston,” notes the report, which was released
this week. “Numerous cases of livestock depredation
and property damage in the Chain Lakes area and
northern Porcupine Hills also led to several grizzly
bear relocations in 2013.
“Evidence indicates that grizzly bear populations are
expanding in this portion of Alberta, requiring significan
t efforts by the local agricultural community and
government staff to prevent and respond to conflict.”
expanding in this portion of Alberta, requiring significan
t efforts by the local agricultural community and
government staff to prevent and respond to conflict.”
Twenty-five of the 34 bears captured and relocated by
government staff were in southern Alberta. Tony Bruder,
a rancher who lives in the Twin Butte area, said 2013
was a difficult year for landowners in the area.
government staff were in southern Alberta. Tony Bruder,
a rancher who lives in the Twin Butte area, said 2013
was a difficult year for landowners in the area.
“It was a horrible calving season,” he said of the spring,
when cows give birth. “There was a lot of trouble. We
had those May snows and the bears didn’t have
anything to eat, so they ate calves instead, and cows.”
when cows give birth. “There was a lot of trouble. We
had those May snows and the bears didn’t have
anything to eat, so they ate calves instead, and cows.”
Indeed, the province’s report shows eight bears were
relocated from southwestern Alberta last April and May
. Similarly, it notes October saw another nine bears
moved — mostly due to attacks on livestock or
property damage.
relocated from southwestern Alberta last April and May
. Similarly, it notes October saw another nine bears
moved — mostly due to attacks on livestock or
property damage.
“That’s generally the worst time for bears, because
they are bulking up and getting ready for winter,” s
aid Bruder, noting there has to be a way to deal with
problem bears. Some ranchers still believe Alberta
needs to consider a hunt in the area, but the province
has said it’s too early in the recovery plan to
contemplate the move and instead works to prevent
and respond to conflicts.
they are bulking up and getting ready for winter,” s
aid Bruder, noting there has to be a way to deal with
problem bears. Some ranchers still believe Alberta
needs to consider a hunt in the area, but the province
has said it’s too early in the recovery plan to
contemplate the move and instead works to prevent
and respond to conflicts.
Conservationists said the latest report shows there’s
more work required.
more work required.
“It reinforces the need for these conflict mitigation
programs,” said Katie Morrison, conservation director
for the southern Alberta chapter of the Canadian Parks
and Wilderness Society. “Conflicts are happening when
there are humans and bears in the same space,
especially when there is some sort of attractant bringing
the bears in.”She added that the number of bears being
relocated is also a concern. “Research has shown that
approximately 30 per cent of relocated bears die
following relocation,” she said. “So it’s not just an
issue of decreasing conflict for human safety and
livelihood, but also decreasing the conflicts so we’re
not having the relocations that potentially lead to
deaths of bears.”
programs,” said Katie Morrison, conservation director
for the southern Alberta chapter of the Canadian Parks
and Wilderness Society. “Conflicts are happening when
there are humans and bears in the same space,
especially when there is some sort of attractant bringing
the bears in.”She added that the number of bears being
relocated is also a concern. “Research has shown that
approximately 30 per cent of relocated bears die
following relocation,” she said. “So it’s not just an
issue of decreasing conflict for human safety and
livelihood, but also decreasing the conflicts so we’re
not having the relocations that potentially lead to
deaths of bears.”
The province continues to work with southern
Alberta landowners to reduce the conflicts, trying
to avoid contact by removing attractants such as
animal carcasses, installing bear-proof doors on
grain bins and putting electric fencing around
livestock pens.Several programs are being run
by the Waterton Biosphere Reserve, an organization
that works to balance biodiversity conservation and
sustainable human use of the land. “It’s hard to say
whether we’re making progress or we’re not,” said
chairman Jeff Bectell, who also ranches in the area
. “We tend to get one thing solved and then maybe
the bears move on to another spot or try something
else.”He also pointed to recent evidence the bear
population is increasing in the area
Alberta landowners to reduce the conflicts, trying
to avoid contact by removing attractants such as
animal carcasses, installing bear-proof doors on
grain bins and putting electric fencing around
livestock pens.Several programs are being run
by the Waterton Biosphere Reserve, an organization
that works to balance biodiversity conservation and
sustainable human use of the land. “It’s hard to say
whether we’re making progress or we’re not,” said
chairman Jeff Bectell, who also ranches in the area
. “We tend to get one thing solved and then maybe
the bears move on to another spot or try something
else.”He also pointed to recent evidence the bear
population is increasing in the area
.
Statistics suggest there are about 1,100 bears in
the Crown of the Continent area, which includes
southwestern Alberta, B.C.’s Flathead and northern
Montana.It’s estimated about 50 of those bears live
permanently in Alberta.The province, in partnership
with several other organizations, is trying to determine
the exact number by analyzing hair samples in
southwestern Alberta
the Crown of the Continent area, which includes
southwestern Alberta, B.C.’s Flathead and northern
Montana.It’s estimated about 50 of those bears live
permanently in Alberta.The province, in partnership
with several other organizations, is trying to determine
the exact number by analyzing hair samples in
southwestern Alberta
.
Last year, when samples were taken from private
as well as public lands, the results showed at least
122 different grizzly bears (72 males and 50 females)
n the area — up from 51 recorded on public lands a
year earlier. The province’s report notes, however,
that it’s not a population estimate and suggests they
will continue to monitor the area to confirm whether
the bear population has grown in the area as bears
move eastward.
as well as public lands, the results showed at least
122 different grizzly bears (72 males and 50 females)
n the area — up from 51 recorded on public lands a
year earlier. The province’s report notes, however,
that it’s not a population estimate and suggests they
will continue to monitor the area to confirm whether
the bear population has grown in the area as bears
move eastward.
If it has, as many ranchers suspect, Bectell said that
could help explain the increase in conflicts.“How much
is due to increasing bear numbers and how much is
due to how we are running our operations?” he said,
noting they are seeing an uptick in the number of
landowners participating in their programs
could help explain the increase in conflicts.“How much
is due to increasing bear numbers and how much is
due to how we are running our operations?” he said,
noting they are seeing an uptick in the number of
landowners participating in their programs
.
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