3 monitored grizzlies killed in 2013 'news article'

[woods_walker]

Saw this article and thought the numbers were interesting. Article courtesy of the Hinton Parklander http://www.hintonparklander.com/2013...killed-in-2013

It’s been a bad year for Alberta’s grizzly bears, with the most documented deaths in more than a decade — including the killing of three animals being monitored by a Hinton-based research organization.

Three grizzlies wearing GPS collars from the Foothills Research Institute were illegally shot between April and November this year. Two adult males and one female were found dead in separate incidents near industrial roads in the region. FRI grizzly specialists determined that the female had two cubs between one and two years of age with her when she was killed.

“The fate of these cubs is unknown. The probability of them surviving is quite low,” said Gordon Stenhouse, lead researcher with the institute’s Grizzly Bear Program, in a FRI media release. “The loss of these bears will affect local bear populations and provincial recovery efforts.”

The monitored bears killed this year are the most the Foothills Research Institute has seen in the 15 years of its grizzly program. The initiative was launched to provide insights into how the large mammals are affected by human influences and how they survive in their habitat. The Grizzly Bear Program has so far produced in-depth maps of the omnivores’ habitat using satellite imagery that gives movement patterns of collared animals. The program has also incorporated the collection of DNA samples from grizzly hair left on baited sites to gain more insights into the behaviour of the wild animals.

Grizzly bears were classified as a threatened species in Alberta when an estimated 700 animals remained in 2010. The province’s recovery plan for the animals has barred hunting since 2006, but Alberta’s efforts suffered a setback this year with 29 grizzly deaths recorded so far. This is the highest number of documented mortalities since 2003 when 40 bears died, although 18 of these were the result of a legal hunt. Fifteen mortalities were documented in 2012.

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resources Development plans to release the final mortality numbers for 2013 in January. Between 2003 and 2012 a total of 195 deaths were recorded — only 20 of these were not caused by humans.

I found these numbers to be a bit on the disturbing side. I wasn't sure if I should post this in the grizzly poaching fine thread or start a new one.

[Skywalker]

And yet no press releases about the ones killed by the study itself. I have spoke to a number of folks in the know and there were more than a few.

[Grizzly Adams]

Latest Gazette has a pic of a Grizzly crossing the highway west of Sundre. Funny part is SR was trying to trap him and gave up, thinking the bear had moved on. Removed the trap. Got him shortly after, when someone pointed out their mistake. From where I sit, more Grizz killed means bigger bear population, with more bear, human conflicts. Time to re-instate the Hunt.

Grizz

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by woods_walker

I found these numbers to be a bit on the disturbing side. I wasn't sure if I should post this in the grizzly poaching fine thread or start a new one.

What did you find disturbing about the numbers?

[MDowdall]

oh no only 505 left now. I wonder what the real number of grizz in this province really is

[ward]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Latest Gazette has a pic of a Grizzly crossing the highway west of Sundre. Funny part is SR was trying to trap him and gave up, thinking the bear had moved on. Removed the trap. Got him shortly after, when someone pointed out their mistake. From where I sit, more Grizz killed means bigger bear population, with more bear, human conflicts. Time to re-instate the Hunt.

Grizz

I would not be surprised to see it go the other way.

[woods_walker]

I find the number of bears being killed outside of a hunting season to be the disturbing number. I know the article doesn't mention specifically poaching, collisions, self defense, old age, research fatalaties, etc etc as a break down in the numbers but it seems like a large amount of grizzlies being killed yearly that they know of. I would reckon that some could say the grizzly population is being 'controlled' by means other than hunting..... and thus the province would be a long ways away from a season for them.

[baptiste_moose]

Ya this is terrible. It was prob an outfitter, right guys?

[hillbillyreefer]

22 dead bears per year? Even if the population is only 505 (BS) it should be able to withstand that many deaths.

[Matt L.]

Originally Posted by baptiste_moose

Ya this is terrible. It was prob an outfitter, right guys?

Rather lame

[baptiste_moose]

Too soon?

[Don K]

Originally Posted by Matt L.

Rather lame

Lol

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by woods_walker

I find the number of bears being killed outside of a hunting season to be the disturbing number. I know the article doesn't mention specifically poaching, collisions, self defense, old age, research fatalaties, etc etc as a break down in the numbers but it seems like a large amount of grizzlies being killed yearly that they know of. I would reckon that some could say the grizzly population is being 'controlled' by means other than hunting..... and thus the province would be a long ways away from a season for them.

Quite the opposite.

The government is obligated to follow the Grizzly Bear recovery plan which includes a protocol for re-instating a licenced hunt. The research is coming close to completion to allow a hunt to resume in parts of Alberta, and I am happy to say that there certainly is the will with the government to make this happen.

[Rovin]

Originally Posted by baptiste_moose

Ya this is terrible. It was prob an outfitter, right guys?

You Sir, are a Troll!

[rhuntley12]

The problem is everyone is looking at the numbers as a whole. They should be looking at population by area. I'd bet some areas have more bears then they should while others are lower. I don't see discussion on area A might be low on bears but area B has a healthy population and could be hunted.

What if 75% of those bears were killed on or near an area that had a very healthy population?

[baptiste_moose]

Originally Posted by Rovin

You Sir, are a Troll!

Scram pup. Do you even know what I'm referencing?