Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services is currently looking into the incident where a hunter was attacked by a grizzly bear in the Springbank area, situated to the west of Calgary. The bear responsible for the attack was shot and killed by the hunter’s companion, while another bear left the scene following the incident.
Authorities mentioned that the age and status of the bear that fled are uncertain. Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen indicated that it is believed the bears involved were a mother-cub pair. The future of the second bear hinges on various factors, as explained by retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke.
Clarke elaborated that a mother grizzly typically stays with her cubs until they are around three years old. Depending on the bear’s age and ability to survive without its mother, Alberta Fish and Wildlife may choose not to intervene. Clarke emphasized the importance of considering the context of human-grizzly conflicts in such situations.
According to the provincial grizzly bear response guide, options for an orphaned cub include placement in a zoo, no action, or euthanasia, with relocation in the wild not feasible for bears under a year old. Orphaned grizzly bears cannot be rehabilitated and released back into the wild under the Wildlife Act, in contrast to black bears.
In a separate incident, two grizzly bear cubs found after their mother was killed in self-defense were taken to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in September, where they will reside permanently. Alberta Fish and Wildlife is currently conducting DNA tests to confirm the identity of the bear responsible for the attack.
Minister Loewen highlighted the increasing presence of grizzly bears in closer proximity to urban areas, indicating a trend of their expansion into new territories in Alberta. The province’s grizzly bear management plan categorizes core areas for bear activity and support areas where bear sightings are not uncommon.
With the grizzly bear population on the rise in Alberta, encounters with these animals are becoming more frequent, prompting concerns about attacks on livestock. Alberta Fish and Wildlife reported 62 confirmed cases of grizzly bears killing livestock this year. The recent mauling incident was one of three grizzly bear attacks responded to by the province this year.
The province is closely monitoring grizzly bear activity and is committed to addressing the challenges posed by their increasing presence in populated areas.