Second Grizzly Carcass Expands Sundre Poaching Investigation

Wildlife officers say two grizzly bears were illegally shot during the same incident near Sundre last month after the discovery of a second carcass expanded what was initially believed to be the illegal killing of a single bear.

Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services said Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services received a report of a second grizzly bear carcass in the “Rig Street” area near Sundre on June 25, prompting investigators to examine whether the deaths were connected.

"Based on the state of decomposition and the close proximity to the earlier kill site, fish and wildlife officers have determined that both bears were killed at the same time on the evening of June 13," Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services said in a written response to Bow Valley Insider.

Both bears were estimated to be three to four years old, male and weighed approximately 200 to 300 pounds.

The bears were found along Highway 734 near Sundre, about 95 kilometres northwest of Calgary, in an area commonly known as Rig Street.

According to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, a complainant reported hearing a gunshot at about 8:30 p.m. on June 13 before seeing "a black 2003-2006 Chevrolet Crew Cab Duramax diesel truck with tinted windows and a loud exhaust" travelling north on Rig Street at a high rate of speed.

More than three weeks later, officers say they are still looking for information that could identify the vehicle or those responsible.

"The investigation is still ongoing, and no charges have been laid at this time," the organization said.

The deaths remove two young bears from Alberta's threatened grizzly bear population, which is estimated at 691 animals on provincial lands. Grizzly bear hunting has been prohibited in Alberta since 2006, except for Indigenous harvest for subsistence or cultural purposes, and the species has been listed as threatened since 2010.

Provincial wildlife managers continue working to reduce human-caused deaths through conflict prevention, education and habitat management. Provincial data previously reported by Bow Valley Insider shows human-caused grizzly mortality averaged about 23 to 24 bears annually between 2013 and 2022. Those deaths included vehicle collisions, illegal killings and management removals, with illegal shootings representing a small but persistent source of mortality.

While the shooting occurred outside the Bow Valley, grizzly conservation remains a major regional issue. The investigation also comes as Alberta debates the future of grizzly bear management. In March, delegates with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta passed a resolution asking the provincial government to consider reintroducing a regulated grizzly bear hunt while increasing funding for research, conflict prevention and public safety. Supporters said growing bear populations have led to more conflicts in some agricultural and foothills communities, although the Municipal District of Bighorn has said it has not seen those same issues locally and supports science-based wildlife management.

Anyone with information about the June 13 incident is asked to contact the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or submit a report online. Reports can be made anonymously, and information leading to charges may be eligible for a cash reward.