More grizzly bears were killed by humans in Alberta in 2024 than in any other year on record, according to data released by the provincial government. The government’s website provides information on human-caused grizzly bear mortality rates, with data available from 2005 to 2025.
In 2024, a total of 40 known grizzly bear deaths were reported, with causes including poaching, vehicle collisions, and lethal removal by law enforcement. The data revealed that 21 grizzlies were killed through “agency removals,” indicating they were taken out by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, conservation officers, or other law enforcement officials. This marked the highest number of agency removals in a single year and the only year where over half of the total grizzly bear deaths were due to agency removals.
Prior to 2024, the highest number of known human-caused grizzly bear deaths was 29 in 2016, mostly due to vehicle strikes. In 2023, the highest number of lethal removals by law enforcement was recorded, with 12 out of 26 known grizzly deaths listed as agency removals.
John Clarke, a retired Fish and Wildlife officer, attributed the increase in grizzly bear deaths in 2024 to the province’s updated grizzly bear response guide in 2023. This guide classifies bears based on factors such as age, presence of cubs, and problematic behavior related to human interactions. Clarke expressed concerns that the changes provided more authority to officers to make decisions, particularly increasing the likelihood of male grizzlies being targeted for removal. In 2024, 14 out of the 21 grizzlies killed by law enforcement were male.
Under the revised response framework, male grizzlies reported as habituated or food-conditioned outside designated recovery areas can be killed upon the first report. The guide emphasizes the importance of justifying actions when killing a grizzly bear and encourages non-lethal preventative measures before resorting to capture or euthanasia.
The government stated that the higher number of grizzly bear mortalities and agency removals in 2024 reflected annual variability in conflict incidents rather than a single cause. The mortality data covers multiple regions of the province without specific attribution to any particular area.
In 2025, the total number of grizzly bear deaths decreased to 18, with six attributed to agency removals. The province highlighted that conflicts between grizzlies and humans can fluctuate annually due to various factors like bear populations, food availability, environmental conditions, and the presence of human attractants.
Clarke suggested that the drop in deaths in 2025 could be linked to addressing specific problematic bears the previous year. The data showed two human attacks involving grizzlies and 92 livestock-related incidents in 2024, while 2025 saw three human attacks and 80 livestock-related incidents.
To address conflicts between grizzlies, humans, and livestock, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta have advocated for legalizing grizzly bear hunting. Grizzly bear sport hunting was prohibited in 2006, with the exception of the previous year, where 73 hunting licenses were issued, resulting in the killing of 10 grizzlies. The government estimates the current grizzly bear population in Alberta to be around 1,000, with the last official count conducted in 2018.