In Alberta, 2024 witnessed a higher number of human-caused grizzly bear fatalities than any previous year, as reported by provincial government data. The mortality rates for grizzly bears caused by human activities are made public on the province’s website, covering the period from 2005 to 2025.
During 2024, a total of 40 confirmed grizzly bear deaths were documented, attributed to various factors such as poaching, vehicle collisions, and lethal actions by law enforcement. Notably, 21 of these deaths were categorized as “agency removals,” indicating that they were carried out by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, conservation officers, or other law enforcement personnel. These figures mark the highest recorded numbers in this category and the only instance where over half of the total grizzly bear fatalities were due to agency removals.
Prior to this, the highest known number of human-caused grizzly bear deaths was 29 in 2016, predominantly due to vehicle accidents. In 2023, the previous peak number of agency removals by law enforcement occurred, with 12 out of 26 documented grizzly deaths falling under this category.
Former Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke suggested that the surge in 2024 fatalities may be linked to the province’s revised grizzly bear response guide, updated in 2023. According to this guide, bears are assessed based on criteria like age, presence of cubs, and problematic behavior, such as habituation to humans or preying on livestock. Clarke expressed concerns that the new guidelines have made it easier to authorize the killing of male grizzlies, leading to what he described as a “hit list” targeting them. Notably, 14 of the 21 grizzlies eliminated by law enforcement in 2024 were male.
Under the updated response framework, a male grizzly can be put down upon its first report of habituation or food-conditioning if it is outside designated recovery areas outlined in the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. In areas outside these zones, a bear can be euthanized irrespective of gender, except for sows with cubs, which are relocated on the first offense but terminated upon subsequent incidents. Clarke emphasized the importance of preserving female grizzlies due to their breeding significance, as they have low reproductive rates, with sows typically producing one litter every three to five years after reaching breeding age.
Grizzly bears have been classified as a threatened species in Alberta since 2010. Despite the authorization to eliminate a bear, officers are required to justify their actions, consulting with others before making a decision. The province outlined that “preventative action,” including non-lethal methods like hazing and area closures, should be attempted before resorting to capturing or killing a bear.
The province clarified that the escalation in grizzly bear mortalities and agency removals in 2024 is a result of the annual fluctuation in conflict incidents rather than a singular cause. The data encompasses multiple regions across the province without pinpointing specific areas for the fatalities.
In 2025, the overall grizzly bear deaths decreased to 18, with six being agency removals. The province highlighted that conflicts between grizzlies and humans vary yearly, influenced by factors like local bear populations, environmental conditions, and the presence of human attractants.
The Alberta government has not documented any grizzly bear attacks on humans in the current year. However, there were 57 incidents involving livestock. The province emphasized that these numbers exclude incidents occurring in parks and protected areas.
To manage conflicts between grizzlies and humans or livestock, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta have urged the provincial government to reintroduce grizzly bear hunting. Grizzly bear sport hunting was prohibited in 2006, with 2005 being the sole year where hunting contributed to the total grizzly bear deaths.
Presently, the Alberta government estimates a population of around 1,000 grizzly bears in the province, although an official population count has not been conducted since 2018.
