Southwest Alberta ranchers losing cattle to grizzly bears

It appears some southern Alberta cattle producers are facing an extra challenge this spring.

Dozens of ranchers claim their calves have been killed by grizzly bears.

“It’s getting to where the bears are getting bolder,” said Calvin Walper, strolling on his Twin Butte property where he’s encountered nearly a dozen bears, recently losing five-to-six head of cattle per year.

“In the fall they’re a little smaller,” Walper said. “Being a 600 lb. animal, a bear can take them to the bush over there and feast on it.”

The problem isn’t exclusive to this ranch.

Fish & Wildlife officers say at least nine cattle in southwest Alberta have been killed since mid-April, with several others missing.

“It’s the combination of such a late green-up, not much fruit for the bears, and such a high density of grizzly bears between Twin Butte and Waterton,” said Perry Abramenko, who helps oversee the Pincher Creek district.

Walper claims the grizzlies are getting so accustomed to human contact, they’re coming within three metres of his family’s home. In one instance last year, two bears were found lounging where the family parks their vehicles.

“The dog started barking so we went outside, and here we have two bears just hanging out as if it was their yard as well,” said Walper.

Trapping is one form of controlling the grizzly population. When ranchers see a bear on their property, they’re warned to call wildlife officers right away.

“We come on-site to work the rancher to mitigate these conflicts,” said Abramenko. “Whether it’s helping with securing the attractant or removing the offending bear and helping them protect their livestock.”

If the bear isn’t caught in the act, says Walper, evidence of a conflict is tougher to come by, which means a producer may not be compensated for losing livestock.

“Our hands are tied,” he said. “There are bears being trapped, but where do they take them?”

“We can’t just keep taking problem bears and giving them to someone else because it’s a problem.”

He suggests a form of cull may be the safest option, balancing business with the environment, before it’s a human being instead of a calf being attacked.