Present Status
Last Review/Updated: Ocotber 17, 2007
Present Status of Black Bears
The map shows the distribution of black bears in Alberta during the early 1990s; the current range encompasses some 488 000 km² or about 74 percent of the province. Recently, several sightings were reported near the city of Edmonton and other locations in central Alberta, suggesting that this species is extending its range somewhat into former habitats.
The dynamics of black bear populations were investigated in several areas during the 1970's and 80's. These studies (locations shown on map; details in table) revealed a wide range of densities in different biogeographical zones, related to habitat values, forest succession and human development, as well as past levels of human use or control. Densities (bears/1000 km²) varied from 370 at Cold Lake (a relatively high density) to 8 at Banff National Park (a very low density).
Bear Density (bears/1,000 km²)
| Black Bear | Grizzly Bear | ||
| Cold | 370 | Waterton | 48 |
| Fort Hills | 333 | Kananaskis | 14 |
| Sheep River | 233 | Jasper | 11 |
| Swan Hills | 18* | Swan Hills | 8 |
| Berland | 9* | South Wapiti | 7 |
| Banff | 8 | Berland | 5 |
| * Densities were probably greater than observed because trap sites were in grizzly habitat. | |||
Such estimates were derived by monitoring several bears in each area with the use of radio telemtry. Ranges occupied by adult female black bears are generally quite mutually exclusive; that is, there is usually a minimum of overlap between ranges of individual females. Thus, the known range size of adult female bears provides a useful index to regional bear populations (when female ranges are small, densities are greater; when large, densities are lesser). Data from the Cold Lake study, conducted by Gerry Kemp of Alberta Fish and Wildlife and Barry Young and Bob Ruff of the University of Wisconsin, indicated a high black bear population in excellent habitat (average female range =20 km²). This contrasts with a study in the Swan Hills following a period of active oil/gas exploration and development and known shootings of bears in the 1970's. John Nagy of the Canadian Wildlife Service reported large female ranges, a sign of low density.
In 1993, Alberta's total black bear population was estimated on the basis of landsat satellite imagery (forest cover, land disturbance), and estimated average bear densities from study areas. The results provided a total of 36 000 bears (provincial lands) and 40 000 bears (all of Alberta). Calculated average density was 84 bears per 1000 km². The Status of Alberta Wildlife lists black bears as a "green" species, which means it is "not at risk."
Present Status of Grizzly Bears
Currently, grizzlies occupy about 200 000 km² of western Alberta (see map above). In recent years, there have been several reports from areas that have been without grizzly populations for most of this century. Some of these sightings (from near Priddis, Winagami Lake, Fort Chipewyan and other areas) followed translocations and movements of nuisance grizzlies and may not necessarily lead to permanent occupation. However, regional populations near Chinchaga River in the northwest, Rocky Mountain House, and the area north of Waterton Lakes National Park have increased since the 1960s.
Based on several capture and marking studies and information on regional habitats, provincial biologists in 1987 estimated that there were 519-575 grizzlies on lands not including the nation parks. This figure provided the baseline for determinations of regional grizzly populations year by year, using data on mortality, translocation, immigration and production.
Following a revision to this model in 2003 and subsequent work, provincial population was estimated at between 500 and 1000 grizzlies. Additional information is needed to establish more concrete numbers. DNA-based census work is underway to give the model verified information. The populations are affected by habitat change, human factors (e.g., development, which leads to reduced habitat effectiveness), and high rates of nuisance bear removals.
"How the brutes can tell just when to come out is one of their own secrets. In the Selkirks they den so high up among the peaks that when they emerge there are from four to six (and in some cases even ten) feet of snow still lying over the country like a great white blanket. Only on the slides, which have been swept by the tremendous avalanches that usually come down in March, is the ground clear. Yet on one of our trips to this region we saw where thirteen grizzlies came down the mountain side in a single night. They all came down an open place not over half a mile across, and it was in following their trails back up the mountain that I found the six dens hear after mentioned....the animals, in coming out, had broken through some five feet of snow. As it is, therefore, not the melting snow that arouses them, it would seem that there must be some kind of nature's alarm clock, known to the bears, that informs them when it is time to get up."
—William Wright, The Grizzly Bear
