Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services is reaching out to the public for help following the discovery of a deceased grizzly bear with a gunshot wound last autumn, as indicated in a recent social media update by the department. The lifeless bear was found by a hunter on November 25, near Honey Coulee, a popular trail area located approximately 110 kilometers south of Calgary. Officials determined that the grizzly bear had been shot sometime earlier, potentially between November 8 and 20, according to Fish and Wildlife authorities.
Grizzly bear hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, as these bears are classified as a threatened species by the provincial government. A spokesperson from Fish and Wildlife expressed concern over illegal hunting activities like poaching, emphasizing their detrimental impact on both the local ecosystems and law-abiding hunters. These actions undermine conservation efforts, jeopardize wildlife population management, and may lead to stricter regulations that affect lawful hunters.
Through the Report A Poacher initiative in the province, individuals providing tips leading to charges being filed could be eligible for a monetary reward. Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke commented on the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the low reproductive rates of grizzly bears, which contribute to their vulnerable status. Clarke cited past incidents where grizzly bears were illegally shot, including cases of intentional killings and mistaken identities with black bears.
While black bear hunting is permitted in the area where the deceased grizzly was found, Clarke suggested that the shooting could have been a case of misidentification due to the timing of the black bear hunting season ending shortly before. However, upon reviewing a photo of the bear shared by Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Clarke affirmed that the animal was unmistakably a grizzly bear.
The ongoing investigation by Fish and Wildlife likely involves examining the area for any traces like tire tracks or footprints, interviewing locals, and identifying hunters with black bear licenses in the vicinity. The possibility that the grizzly bear was shot and wandered off before succumbing to its injuries could complicate pinpointing the exact location of the shooting, according to Clarke.
The provincial government closely monitors grizzly bear fatalities in Alberta, with data revealing that vehicle collisions were the leading cause of grizzly bear deaths between 2013 and 2022. During this period, the province documented 58 instances of illegal killings and six cases where a grizzly bear was mistaken for a black bear.