Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are asking for the public’s help following the discovery of a deceased grizzly bear with a gunshot wound last autumn, as announced in a social media post on Friday. The bear’s body was found near Honey Coulee, a popular trail area approximately 110 kilometers south of Calgary, after a hunter reported it on November 25th. Officials determined that the grizzly had been shot sometime between November 8th and 20th, despite the hunting ban on grizzly bears in Alberta since 2006 due to their status as a threatened species.
A spokesperson from Fish and Wildlife expressed concerns about poaching and illegal hunting activities affecting Alberta’s ecosystems and lawful hunters. Such actions undermine conservation efforts and wildlife management, potentially leading to more stringent regulations that impact law-abiding hunters. The Report A Poacher program in the province offers rewards to individuals providing information that leads to charges being filed.
Retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke emphasized the significance of a grizzly bear being unlawfully shot, citing their low reproductive rates that contribute to their vulnerable status. Clarke mentioned previous cases of grizzly bears being illegally killed, including instances where they were mistaken for black bears. Although black bear hunting is permitted in the area where the grizzly was discovered, Clarke suggested that mistaken identity could be a plausible explanation given the end of the black bear hunting season in November.
Despite the possibility of mistaken identity, Clarke highlighted that the bear in question was clearly a grizzly based on photos shared by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. The ongoing investigation likely involves examining the area for evidence like tire tracks or footprints, interviewing locals, and identifying hunters with black bear licenses in the vicinity. However, determining the exact shooting location may prove challenging if the grizzly was shot and wandered off before succumbing to its injuries.
The provincial government closely monitors grizzly bear fatalities in Alberta, with vehicle collisions being the leading cause of mortality from 2013 to 2022. During this period, there were 58 documented cases of illegal killing and six instances of grizzlies being mistaken for black bears.