Alberta Counts Grizzlies After 8-Year Gap | Calgary News

Alberta’s Environment Ministry has launched its first grizzly bear count in eight years, a critical step toward science-based recovery efforts. Led by the Foothills Research Institute, the massive field project aims to track population trends and habitat use across seven management areas — though initial efforts focus on just two. Experts agree the count is long overdue, as the province’s own plan mandates it every five years. While DNA analysis suggests the population has grown from 800 in 2010 to over 1,100, recent ministerial orders have authorized culling of bears deemed habituated or livestock killers — four already removed. Rural communities are pushing for regulated hunting amid rising human-bear conflicts. Conservationists warn that increased encounters may stem from habitat loss or other factors, not just population growth, and are demanding transparency and stronger protections, including dedicated biologists in each region, to ensure grizzly sustainability isn’t compromised. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a73e63292bdc69de