Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are actively investigating the recent grizzly bear attack on a hunter in the Springbank area, situated to the west of Calgary. The bear responsible for the attack was fatally shot by the victim’s hunting companion, while another bear escaped the scene. The whereabouts and condition of the second bear are currently unknown, with speculations suggesting it may have been part of a mother-cub duo.
John Clarke, a retired officer from Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife, highlighted the significance of the cub’s age in determining its fate, mentioning that if the cub is old enough to survive independently, authorities might opt to leave it undisturbed. This aligns with the guidelines outlined in the province’s grizzly bear response guide, which states that orphaned cubs could potentially be relocated to a zoo, left alone, or euthanized, but not released back into the wild.
In a separate incident, two grizzly bear cubs were taken in by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo after their mother was killed near Diamond Valley. The zoo confirmed that the cubs will be under their care permanently. DNA samples are currently being analyzed to confirm the identity of the bear involved in the recent attack.
Minister Todd Loewen expressed concern over the increasing proximity of grizzly bears to urban areas, indicating a pattern of bears encroaching into new territories in Alberta. This trend is reflected in the province’s grizzly bear management plan, which outlines designated core areas for bear activities and support areas where bear sightings are common. The province’s grizzly bear population has reportedly surged from around 800 to over 1,150 bears, prompting their movement into more populated regions.
Furthermore, authorities have responded to multiple grizzly bear incidents this year, including the recent mauling near Calgary, a non-fatal attack along the St. Mary River, and the Diamond Valley encounter resulting in orphaned cubs. These occurrences underscore the escalating interactions between grizzly bears and human settlements, with concerns raised over livestock attacks. Alberta Fish and Wildlife have recorded 62 confirmed instances of grizzly bears killing livestock this year, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and management of bear populations.