Grizzly Bears

Alberta's Threatened Grizzly Bears 

	The Issue		Take Action!
	Where in Alberta is it?		In-Depth
	Solution

The Issue

• Two hundred years ago, an estimated 6000 grizzly bears roamed throughout the entire province of Alberta

• A 2008 DNA study estimates that only 490 bears remain in Alberta, and their range is limited mainly to the Rocky Mountains and their foothills.

• Grizzly bears are dying at an unsustainable rate, and the vast majority of mortalities – over 90% – are caused by humans

• 89 % of human-caused grizzly bear mortalities occur within 500m of a road

• The extensive petroleum development and forestry in the foothills region destroys grizzly bear habitat and also creates a lasting network of new roads, trails, and cutlines permitting easy access for humans

• Less than 2% of the critical foothills region is protected from industrial development

Where in Alberta is it?

Grizzly bears in Alberta primarily live in the Rocky Mountains and their foothills from as far south as the United States border, and in the boreal forest from the British Columbia border to as far east as High Level, Peace River, and Slave Lake.

Solution

The "B.E.A.R.S." essentials to begin the recovery of Alberta’s grizzly bear population:

Budget dedicated for recovery
Endangered species legislation listing
Action on habitat
Reduce conflict and human-caused mortalities
Science-based recovery team

What the BEARS mean....

Take Action!

Here are three ways you can take action to help Alberta's grizzly bears.

1. Write a letter to Premier Ed Stelmach.
   

2. Join the Action Grizzly Bear campaign. This campaign was initiated by Sierra Club Canada along with a number of local and international conservation organizations including CPAWS.

3. Be Bear Aware: Encounters with humans are behind over 90% of Grizzly bear deaths.  Find out what you can do.

4. Donate. CPAWS needs your financial support to continue this vital conservation work.

In-Depth

• Learn more about Alberta's grizzly bears and the problems they face.
• Read about The Science Behind the Grizzly Count