Letter in Science challenges Alberta’s ill-advised black bear hunting policy
Scientists question the evidence behind Alberta’s approach to “responsible wildlife stewardship” and call for the suspension of hound hunting.
Alberta has brought back a controversial hunting practice that puts black bears – and the science behind their management – in the spotlight. Hunting black bears with hounds was first authorized last year, drawing criticism from wildlife advocates and support from hunters across the province. The practice was reintroduced this summer under the guise of caribou recovery.
In a recent letter in Science, authors Dr. Gilbert Proulx and Raincoast Senior Scientist Dr. Paul Paquet question whether the available evidence supports this approach, pointing in particular to the limited overlap between black bear habitat and caribou calving areas. They contend that animal welfare considerations are not adequately reflected in the hunting policy, and note that such considerations should be an integral part of all consumptive uses of wildlife.
This letter calls for the suspension of hound hunting authorization and an independent scientific review of its impacts. It also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing habitat protection and restoration, alongside nonlethal measures, for black bear welfare and woodland caribou recovery.
Authors and affiliations
Gilbert Proulx1 and Paul Paquet2,3
1 Alpha Wildlife Research & Management, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada.
2 Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
3 Raincoast Conservation Foundation, PO Box 2429, Sidney, BC, Canada.
