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Preamble:
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta (GOA) is responsible for the monitoring and management strategies for grizzly bears; and
WHEREAS the Environmental Enforcement Branch of Alberta Forestry and Parks (Conservation Officers) is responsible for conserving and protecting Alberta’s natural resources and Crown lands through the provision of education, prevention, public safety and conservation enforcement services; and
WHEREAS Conservation Officers are mandated to promote the protection of life and safety across all public lands through effective human-wildlife conflict prevention; and
WHEREAS due to the increasing number of grizzly bears and the expansion of their territories, the grizzly bear is becoming increasingly habituated to living within proximity to humans; and
WHEREAS problem bear encounters are increasing, creating a heightened safety issue for rural residents in areas along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains; and
WHEREAS bear encounters present both an agriculture or livestock predation risk and a human safety risk for those living and working in these rural areas; and
WHEREAS a very small percentage of grizzly bears become problem bears, but these bears have to be dealt with quickly and efficiently; and
WHEREAS the current management plan and number of conservation officers and wildlife specialists do not allow problem bears to be properly addressed; and
WHEREAS this problem is compounded by the GOA’s continued underfunding of Conservation Officers and problem wildlife specialists;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate to the Government of Alberta to increase funding for Conservation Officers and problem wildlife specialists to ensure that an updated and properly funded grizzly bear management plan is in place to protect both the public and bears.
Member Background:
Grizzly bears are found in the foothills, mountains and boreal regions of the province. Their current range includes areas in or near the Rocky Mountains and in some boreal forest areas of north-central and northwestern Alberta.
Grizzly bears searching for food can be attracted to human settlements and agricultural areas, greatly increasing the potential for human-bear conflict. Bears that come into conflict are at increased risk of being killed or trapped and relocated. The annual rate of conflict has been increasing in some areas of the province, likely due to recovering grizzly populations.
Due to the increasing number of grizzly bears and the expansion of their territories, there is a heightened safety issue for the rural residents of our municipality and most areas along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in Alberta. Grizzly bears are becoming increasingly habituated to living within proximity to humans and problem bear encounters are increasing.
Adding to this problem is that the Government of Alberta has continued to cut the budget for Conservation Officers and problem wildlife specialists. We currently have only one officer within the Municipality of Pincher Creek. for whom it is difficult to keep up with the number of problem bear calls, let alone handle the rest of their required duties.
There is a lack of clarity in how the Ministry of Forestry and Park’s Ministerial Order 43/2024 is going to be implemented and how it will address all grizzly bears, including nuisance bears with cubs. On initial review of Order 43/2024, it is apparent that wildlife officers will play a major role in the implementation and success of the proposed program. Again, more trained and in-field personnel are required.
Only a tiny percentage of grizzly bears become problem bears. But those bears have to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. The current management plan and number of officers do not allow this to happen.
RMA Background:
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
Alberta Forestry and Parks
Your resolution around managing problem wildlife, such as grizzly bears, is acknowledged and valued. I encourage you to look at the role of the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Service that is mandated as the primary responder for wildlife control issues in the province and has significantly more resources for this task than Conservation Officers. These two groups work together to ensure public safety and wildlife conservation. I will share your feedback with my counterpart at Public Safety and Emergency Services for further consideration.
Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services
With respect to resolution 17-24F, which calls for improved grizzly bear management, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) remains committed to providing prompt responses to reports of grizzly bears causing property damage or posing public safety concerns, on private or public lands. FWES currently has 128 funded officer positions across the province and routinely shifts manpower to address priority calls for service. FWES is currently near full staffing levels, particularly in the southern part of the province where grizzly bear management is a priority.
Development:
Along with the response from Alberta Forestry and Parks, the response from Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services points to the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement services stating that this agency is well-resourced and equipped to minimize and address human-grizzly bear encounters. However, the government response does not commit to increasing support or funding for Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers.
RMA assigns this resolution a status of Intent Not Met. RMA will assess existing provisions and funding towards conservation officers that operate under the FWES and will continue to advocate for more support for wildlife officers that seek to minimize risks to human safety, livestock and property.
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