Environmental groups say relocation of Alberta grizzly bears harmful to their recovery

CALGARY – Environmental groups say they are seeing a disturbing trend in the way the Alberta government has been dealing with its threatened grizzly bear population.

The latest report indicates a growing numbers of bears are being trapped and moved by provincial wildlife staff.

In 2011, 24 bears were trapped and moved compared to 13 in 2010 and 16 in 2009.

Nigel Douglas from the Alberta Wilderness Association says it appears the grizzlies are looking for easy food sources such as leaking granaries and cattle herds in Alberta’s foothills.

The groups say while removal can improve human safety and protect property in the short term, long-term research shows that translocated bears generally die prematurely.

Dave Ealey from Alberta Sustainable Resources says the relocation are being done to protect the public and prevent the need to euthanize nuisance bears.