Grizzly Bears killed under the Wildlife Management Responder Network: Access to Information request

April 9, 2026

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• Grizzly Bears
• Wildlife

In January, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) submitted an Access to Information request, asking for details on grizzly bears killed under the Wildlife Management Responder network. Since this is an issue that concerns Alberta’s wildlife—a public resource—as well as the safety of Albertans, we argued this information should be made available.

The partial release we received is available here.

 

We initially reached out to biologists in Forestry and Parks, and were unable to obtain the information requested. In response, AWA submitted a formal Access to Information Request. We requested the number and approximate location of grizzly bears killed under the Wildlife Management Responder Network, the reason these bears were deemed problem animals, any alternatives measures considered, and actions taken to ensure the correct bear was killed. We also asked for information on qualifications of the hunters authorized to kill these bears.

Fulfilling this request, Alberta Forestry and Parks released 14 pages of information on authorizations issued and grizzly bears killed under the Wildlife Management Responder Network. It confirms the successful kill of one grizzly bear, and implies at least one other Grizzly Bear Management Authorizations was issued, although not fulfilled.

There is almost no information on why these bears were considered “problem” animals, or what led to the decision that they had to be destroyed. There is nothing on other measures attempted, why particular hunters were sent after the bear, or any measures to confirm the correct animal was killed.

We have submitted an appeal requesting more details be released.

Our full request is below:

We are asking for records from June 2024 to December 2025 from the Department of Forestry and Parks, Hunting and Fishing Branch, on grizzly bears killed under the Wildlife Management Responder Network. Specifically, we request records for the number of bears killed under this program, and date and location for the destruction of each bear. We request internal reports and correspondence from between the time a problem bear was reported to the dispatch of a member of the Wildlife Responder Network, which discuss the problem bear and the decision to call on the Wildlife Management Responder Network. We request reports and correspondence related to the reason each grizzly bear was identified as a problem animal, alternative actions considered or taken (for instance, hazing or relocation) prior to destroying the bear, and directives from the Minister for hunting of grizzly bears. We also request criteria for selecting responders from the Wildlife Management Responder Network, information provided to the responder to aid in identifying the problem bear, verification that the target bear was destroyed and any other bears destroyed in the process by mistake. For all information requested, please provide information in documents that enable text search and copy. PDF or word processor is preferred. Timeframe: Jun 17, 2024 to Dec 15, 2025