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The Alberta government has quietly reintroduced grizzly bear hunting through a June 29 Alberta Gazette announcement, bypassing public consultation and legislative review. This controversial decision, led by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, has sparked widespread criticism, especially given that grizzly bears have been classified as Threatened since 2010. Conservationists, including Exposed’s Co-founder John E. Marriott, and Devon Earl with Alberta Wilderness Association, argue in a press release that hunting does not solve human-bear conflicts and threatens grizzly bear recovery.
Kim Odland, Co-Founder of Exposed Wildlife Conservancy, comments on the decision:
“Not only is this decision not based on any science, it's a blatant attempt to completely ignore the science and actually circumvent the Government's own experts and biologists. It appears to be a direct move by the Minister alone, to quietly give his friends, business associates and fellow trophy hunters an opportunity to "legally" kill a Grizzly. This is politics at its very worst.”
With grizzly bear populations still below sustainable levels and facing numerous threats, there are calls for transparent and science-based wildlife management to protect these crucial species. Grizzly bears have the lowest reproductive rate among North American land mammals. Females typically start reproducing between the ages of 5 and 8, and they may only give birth every 4 to 5 years. Allowing hunting on a species that already struggles to recover from threats is a serious concern.
Help us uphold our ultimate objective of our Protecting Alberta’s Grizzlies project: to ensure that grizzly bear management in Alberta continues to promote recovery and harmonious coexistence and that these amendments to the Wildlife Act allowing a grizzly bear hunt are stricken from the record and reversed.
Your donation today will provide essential resources to advance our immediate efforts further.
The more donations we raise, the more action on behalf of bears we can take.
Another way you can make a difference is by staying informed. Check out our Protecting Alberta’s Grizzlies project to learn more!
Watch as John E. Marriott joins host Ryan Jespersen on Real Talk RJ show to discuss the government's recent decision to end a 20-year ban on grizzly bear hunting in Alberta. Grizzly bears, a threatened species in Alberta, now face new dangers with changes to the Wildlife Act that permit the hunting of "problem" bears. John explores the crucial need for grizzly bear recovery, the exploration of non-lethal coexistence strategies, and concerns about how the reporting of problem bears will be managed.
Dr. Sarah Elmeligi, bear biologist and MLA for Banff-Kananaskis, provides insights on the importance of combining the science behind bear behaviour and the social science of human expectations.
Wildlife advocates across Canada are calling on the Government of Canada to take decisive action to safeguard wildlife in Yoho National Park and other areas impacted by vehicle collisions. Tragically, this year Nakoda, the rare white grizzly bear, and her cubs lost their lives in highway accidents, highlighting a troubling trend of over 60 animals killed in the past five years.
Immediate actions are needed to:
The Government of Alberta is inviting us to share our input on recreation and conservation in our provincial parks. Your feedback is essential in the development of a new plan for Alberta Parks, shaping the future of recreation and conservation across our province.
Share your insights today to help form a plan that encourages and enhances conservation efforts. Your input will influence how current and future generations enjoy our parks amidst growing pressures and diverse needs. Let’s work together to create a sustainable future for Alberta's parks system and the wildlife within it!
Sincerely,
The Team At Exposed
