Alberta Grizzlies
Wilderness Sentinel. For many people, the grizzly bear represents a sentinel of wilderness. When we protect grizzlies, we protect wilderness. Photo: Wayne Lynch
"The excitement that comes with travelling across a landscape where you're not necessarily the dominant animal, where you are not necessarily the strongest and where you have to continually use your brain to give yourself a strong measure of safety -- that's what wilderness and wild lands are all about. That's why we keep bears."
- Dr. Stephen Herrero, Professor, University of Calgary Environmental Sciences, author of Bear Attacks
The Bear Facts
- Alberta's grizzly bear population has plummeted from about 6,000 in the early 1800's to its current level of 500 to 800.
- From 1972-87, there was a total of 636 human-caused grizzly bear deaths in Alberta, an average of 46 deaths per year.
- The plains grizzly is extirpated-- that is, the bear is extinct in the prairie region.
- Kills from trophy hunting and poaching often eliminate genetically superior bears and so jeopardize future population.
- Grizzly populations are affected most by the deaths of mature female bears -
- between 20 and 30 percent of legal kills involve breeding adult females.
The stability of grizzly bear populations is affected most by the deaths of mature female bears -- 20 to 30 percent of legal kills involve breeding females. Photo: Wayne Lynch
- Grizzly bears have slow reproductive cycles. A female may give birth to only one to three cubs every few years. Plentiful food, sufficient habitat and freedom from human-induced stress are important for breeding success.
- Studies indicate the loss of a male bear through death or relocation allows other males to occupy the territory. The new bear will often kill the cubs of the dead or relocated bear to reproduce with the same female.
- Bear poaching is a significant problem. Alberta Fish and Wildlife does not know how many bears are killed illegally. Proper regulation enforcement and poacher convictions require more money.
- The United States considers the grizzly an endangered species -- Montana harbors most of the Lower 48's 1,000 grizzlies under the US's Endangered Species Act. Alberta currently lists its fewer grizzlies as only "At Risk."
- Canada has no federal endangered species legislation. New legislation proposed by Ottawa would apply to federal lands--only four percent of the country, mostly national parks and military reserves.
- Alberta grizzly bear habitat currently consists of 154,000 square kilometres of provincial land, as well as the national mountain parks of Jasper, Banff and Waterton Lakes.
Black market goods. Oriental medicine has used black bear parts like these for thousands of years. Grizzly parts also sell as medicines, food, jewelry and trophies. A bear gall bladder can fetch more than $3,000 on the black market. Photo: Wayne Lynch
Trafficking bear parts is now more lucrative than trafficking illegal drugs. Bear's paw soup sells for $1,000 in Taiwan. Photo: Wayne Lynch
"From the far reaches of time, the great bear has been a symbol of supernatural power to native people, from the Haisla of the West Coast to the northern Cree. The grizzly is part of the wilderness and inseparable from it. But we are reducing this great animal to an economic commodity, worth thousands of dollars in hunting fees for rugs on floors, mounted heads on walls and as parts for Oriental medicine and cuisine, products that are readily available in Canada.
In many ways, grizzlies and humans are most similar. Humans compete with bears for habitat. We
appreciate the same beautiful mountains, meadows and streams where the bear lives. Like us,
grizzlies are at the top of the food chain and are omnivorous. We eat many of the same foods. And
our similarities go deeper than these. The carcass of a skinned bear resembles that of a naked,
bloodied human."
Gray Jones, WCWC Alberta Executive Director
Photos: Harvey Locke
Paving paradise. Uncontrolled tourism development in the national mountain parks is destroying habitat and displacing wildlife. For instance, the picture below is a view of Bear and Wolf streets in Banff.
Photos: Harvey Locke
