CALGARY – A new report suggests the grizzly bear population in west-central Alberta has doubled in the last ten years.
The study by the fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program looked at the number of bears in an area encompassing Banff and Jasper National Park, stretching east to Rocky Mountain House and north to Edson.
It found that the grizzly bear population grew from 36 to 74 between 2004 and 2014; an annual increase of approximately seven per cent.
“This is higher than typically seen in North American populations,” said a statement on the fRI Research website.
The fRI Research, formerly the Foothills Research Institute, has been conducting research on the cultural, ecological, economic and social values of Alberta’s forested landscape since 1992.
Grizzly bears have been listed as a threatened species in Alberta since 2010.
The study’s authors hope the results of this study will inform recovery plans and management practices.
The study was completed with funding and support from Alberta Environment and Parks, Parks Canada, Weyerhaeuser and West Fraser.
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