Alberta recorded 40 grizzly bear deaths in 2024, the highest annual total on record, with 21 of those deaths attributed to law enforcement removals. The figures, released by the provincial government, mark the first year in which agency removals accounted for more than half of the total grizzly mortalities.
The data show a stark shift in the composition of bear deaths compared to prior years, highlighting an emphasis on removals by authorities rather than other causes. The report underscores that 21 bears were killed by law enforcement in 2024, a segment that now surpasses other categories in the year’s breakdown.
Officials emphasize that the numbers reflect deaths caused by human activity and management actions within the province’s borders. The record year stands out not only for the total, but also for the proportion of removals carried out by agencies, suggesting an increased involvement of authorities in managing grizzly bear incidents.
While the release confirms the record-high mortality, it does not detail the specific incidents, locations, or underlying drivers behind each removal or death. The information provided focuses on the aggregate counts and the notable share of agency-initiated deaths, leaving broader context about causes or circumstances to accompany future reporting.
The record year for grizzly bear deaths in Alberta arrives amid ongoing public attention to wildlife management and human-wildlife conflict. With 2024’s numbers, Alberta becomes the jurisdiction where grizzly bear mortality by human factors reached an unprecedented level, according to the province’s government data.
