Grizzly Bear Fact Sheet

It is estimated that perhaps 6000 grizzly bears once lived in Alberta. Since the coming of agriculture, industrial use, and millions of people, the grizzly has been in decline. Today there are estimated to be about 700 grizzlies remaining in our province, mostly restricted to the mountains and foothills. This is a reduction of almost 90%.

Loss of grizzly bears is primarily due to the increase in roads and accompanying access, which result in loss and degradation of habitat, road kills, and legal and illegal hunting of bears.

The grizzly bear is an umbrella species that reflects the ecological health of our forests.

A brief history:

• In the 1980s it was recognized that grizzly bears in Alberta were of concern due to habitat loss.

• In 2002 the Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee recommended that the grizzly bear be listed as a threatened species. The recommendation was based on small population size, low reproductive rate, limited immigration from populations outside Alberta, and increasing alteration of habitat. This has not been done.

• In 2004 the grizzly bear recovery team submitted the draft recovery plan to government. It has not been approved.

• A 2005 study on the grizzly bear concluded: Simulations suggest that only the large mountainous parks provided long-term suitable adult female grizzly bear territories, while effective (secure) grizzly bear territories on Crown lands were largely displaced within 30 years.

• In 2006 the government refused to release to the public information on grizzly populations, which are based on more accurate DNA analysis.

The government continues to permit a grizzly hunt and refuses to deal meaningfully with access management by limiting the number of roads built and available for public use.

Download the full CPAWS report on the plight of Alberta's grizzlies.

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