Controlling Grizzly Bears to Ensure Community Safety

Grizzly bear activity has increased steadily across southern Alberta over the past decade, especially within Bear Management Area 6 (BMA 6), which includes much of the Foothills-Little Bow and surrounding regions. Research presented by the Waterton Biosphere Reserve shows an annual growth rate of roughly four percent since 2007, with the region now supporting the highest grizzly bear population density in the province. The last comprehensive estimate from 2016 identified 172 bears using the area and 67 resident bears; local observations and ongoing conservation work suggest that numbers have continued to rise since then.  

As the population grows, communities in southern Alberta have seen a significant increase in human-bear interactions. Residents, ranchers, and municipal staff have reported bears approaching homes, entering outbuildings, breaking into grain bins, and preying on livestock. Field workers in Cardston County have faced aggressive encounters while performing routine duties, including a recent incident where a summer staff member was chased by a grizzly bear at close range while working near the river in Kimball.  

Public safety concerns intensified following a severe attack on a fisherman south of the Town of Cardston in summer of 2025. Similar incidents in nearby jurisdictions have been widely reported, noting a general uptick in dangerous encounters province wide. These include hikers injured on popular trails, hunters attacked in remote areas, and numerous close calls involving outdoor workers. Media coverage reflects what residents have expressed for years: the frequency and severity of conflicts are increasing, and rural communities feel more vulnerable.  

While conservation officers, Fish and Wildlife staff, and the Waterton Biosphere Reserve have made strong efforts to support coexistence through carcass management, attractant control programs, and public education, the demand for intervention continues to grow. Many residents feel uncertain about when they are legally allowed to defend themselves or their livestock, and municipalities have asked for more explicit provincial guidance.  

On September 25, 2025, Cardston County and the MD of Pincher Creek sent a letter to the Minister of Forestry and Parks (attached) highlighting these concerns directly, noting the rise in encounters, the pressure placed on rural residents, and the need for stronger provincial direction. The County requested updates to Alberta’s grizzly management strategy, increased support for mitigation work, and a clear protocol outlining what actions landowners and authorities can take when bears threaten human safety.  

Given these realities, Cardston County and the southern Alberta region are seeking a balanced approach that protects the lives and livelihoods of residents while recognizing the ongoing importance of responsible wildlife management. A targeted, controlled hunt for problem grizzly bears, utilized only in specific situations and in conjunction with continued non-lethal measures, is being proposed as part of a broader strategy to address escalating risks, reduce conflict, and maintain safety for communities and workers who share the landscape with a growing grizzly bear population.