Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan 2008-2013 - Alberta Sustainable ...

Table 1. Regional grizzly bear issues.
Region 1 Causes of conflict, mortality 2 , and habitat alteration Population notes
Southeast • Grizzly expansion eastward is creating conflict with landowners, cattle ranchers, bee
yards, and grain farmers.
• Primary mortality: illegal kills
Size and status of population unit
unknown; possible range expansion.
Need to understand habitat use and travel
Southwest
6
7 south
• Conflicts related to cattle ranching leads to relocations (removal of bears from population)
and increased expenses (damage prevention and compensation)
• Increasing access development and use (industrial and recreational) increases mortality
risk
• Increasing activity (recreation and commercial) leads to conflicts
• Increasing residential development leads to habitat loss and conflicts, and impedes
connectivity
• Primary mortality: self-defence (BMA 6); problem wildlife (BMA 7)
corridors; bears vulnerable on prairie
DNA census from 1997 (needs to be
updated); relatively small population;
genetic interchange with BC and Montana
bears; high removal mortality (humancaused)
Southern
foothills
3B,4C south
5
7 north
• Increasing access development and use (industrial and recreational) increases mortality
risk
• Increasing activity (recreation and commercial) leads to conflicts
• Increasing residential development leads to habitat loss and conflicts, and impedes
connectivity
• Fire suppression has reduced value and quantity of grizzly habitat
• Primary mortality: illegal (BMA 4C); problem wildlife (BMA 7); First Nations (BMA 5)
Small population size; lowest
reproductive rate in North America (Bow
Valley); high human-caused mortality of
female bears in recent years (2000 –
2003); movement corridors essential for
regional connectivity.
Northern
foothills
3A west
3B,4B north
4A,2B west
• Increasing access development and use (industrial and recreational) increases mortality
risk
• Increasing grazing leases in grizzly habitat (green and white zone) leads to conflicts and
increased expenses (damage prevention and compensation)
• Improper securement of attractants, particularly landfills, leads to conflicts and mortality
• Primary mortality: illegal (BMA 2B,4B); self-defence (BMA 2B,4A)
Research in the Foothills Model Forest
area (1999-2003) indicates good
reproductive rate; and high mortality
(human-caused).
1 regions approximate, corresponding current BMAs listed
2 primary unregulated mortality based on mean of five or more known grizzly mortalities in a BMA, 1990-2003 (Fish and Wildlife Division, unpubl. data)
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