logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
Problem grizzly bears captured, collared and relocated
Community, Environment, News, Peaks & Valleys, Wildlife
By Bob Covey
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Problem grizzly bears captured, collared and relocated

Two grizzly bears that had been habituated to using the Jasper townsite have been captured and relocated to a remote part of Jasper National Park.

The three-year-old siblings, which were “skinny and food-stressed,” according to Parks Canada human-wildlife conflict specialist Steve Malcolm, were captured in a bear trap on the night of Tuesday, May 31. 

“They walked into the traps like I’ve never seen before,” Malcolm said. 

Simone Heinrich photo

The two bears were malnourished; they only weighed 95 and 120 pounds, respectively, Malcolm said. Their increasingly-bold use of the townsite was heightening the risk to human safety to a degree that officials were not comfortable with.

“When they’re food-conditioned and food-stressed, just like a dog, once they’re hungry enough they might want to bite the hand that feeds them,” Malcolm said.

The grizzlies had been spotted in town numerous times—eating grass on residents’ lawns on a busy street; looking for food in backyards; garbage picking behind the 7-11 convenience store on Connaught Drive; and browsing for foliage near the elementary school.

“They were getting within 10 feet of people on the street,” Malcolm said.

Simone Heinrich photo

To capture them, officials set two traps with “low-smell” bait (beavers carcasses) in a greenspace behind Bonhomme Street where the bears had been active all week. After the trap was tripped, the bears were tranquilized, collared and transported by truck and trailer to the Columbia Icefields Area. From there the traps were flown to Isaac Creek in the remote Brazeau country, near the border of JNP and the province of Alberta, not far from Jasper’s south boundary trail.

Once released, the bears ran out of the traps into their new, natural habitat—albeit with a couple of nutritional boosts to get them started.

“We left them a couple beavers to help put some pounds on,” Malcolm said.

Simone Heinrich photo

Malcolm said by removing these bears from unnatural food sources and high human-use areas, his team is giving these bears the best chance at survival. However, while the Brazeau has a low-density grizzly population, JNP wildlife officials know there are big male grizzlies in the area that won’t take kindly to a couple of newcomers.

“There are a couple of six-to-eight-hundred pound boars that roam that part of the park,” Malcolm said. 

Malcolm said there is always the chance the bears will attempt to come back to town. Bears are individualistic; depending on their personality and what they run into, they could either make the Brazeau their new home, make it back to the Jasper townsite area or not make it at all. 

Simone Heinrich photo

“With the amount of snow we have I can’t see them moving too fast, but I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they showed up in the same place we trapped them,” he said.

At last count, there were 135 grizzly bears in Jasper National Park. There are approximately 230 black bears.

Even though the siblings are far away from the townsite for now, Malcolm and JNP resource conservation staff still have their hands full with bears. There are three other young grizzlies (four-year-olds) which have been spotted on the perimeter of town—near Alpine Village, on the golf course and recently at Pine Bungalows. The “three amigos,” as they’re dubbed, are three of about a dozen grizzlies that have been reported in JNP’s high-use areas. 

That’s on top of the elk calving activity, which has required about three calf-relocations per day. Officials often move a calf when a mother elk gives birth in a high-use area, such as a campground or residential neighbourhood. Mother elk can be extremely dangerous to humans as they protect their young; the helpless fawns also attract predators.

Residents and visitors can help make it easier on wildlife and Parks Canada staff by understanding that because there is still so much snow in the alpine and subalpine, the area around the valley bottom—and therefore the community—is very active with wildlife. Grass, dandelions and the aforementioned elk calves offer good nutritional value for predators; the food rewards outweigh the risks of human conflict for many of these animals, Malcolm said.

As a reminder, Parks Canada requires dogs always be on-leash, small children should always be kept in view and people recreating in the wilderness should always be aware of their surroundings. Keep bear spray handy and travel in groups. If you do have an encounter or see a carcass, report it to Jasper Dispatch, 780-852-6155.

“These are wild animals,” Malcolm said. “There’s an element of unpredictability.”


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Environment
Finding their bearings: How bears use habitat
Mark Bradley 
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Dry grass crunched underfoot as the old grizzly searched for food. Her nostrils flared and her nose twitched as she tested her surroundings for anythi...
this is a test
The bear necessities
Environment
The bear necessities
Bob Covey 
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Collars, fences and attractant elimination keys to bear management Jasper National Park bear biologists are keeping a close eye on area grizzlies. At ...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Vegetation
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Vegetation
Kirsten Schmitten 
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Part 1: Pioneer species on a fire-affected landscape Driving into the park a month after the 2024 Jasper Wildfire, we braced ourselves for a charred-e...
this is a test
Wildlife responders program a poorly camouflaged grizzly hunt?
Alberta Politics
Wildlife responders program a poorly camouflaged grizzly hunt?
Mark Bradley 
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Is Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks camouflaging the hunting of “problem” grizzly bears as a wildlife safety measure? Back in June, Minister T...
this is a test
Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Introducing Linwood Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Linwood Homes
Saturday, June 28, 2025
How long have you been in business? Linwood Homes was founded i n 1968 in Alberta. Our business is over 55 years old. How many homes have you built? W...
this is a test
Latest ›
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Community
Tearful goodbye planned for beloved family
Bob Covey 
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
A beloved family is saying goodbye to Jasper, and their friends are throwing a bittersweet going-away party. “There will be a lot of tears,” said orga...
this is a test
Jasper’s two gas stations are swamped, council hears
Business
Jasper’s two gas stations are swamped, council hears
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative, Jasper Fitzhugh 
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Trafficcongestion is becoming a growing issue at the town’s two remaining gas stations, according to a letter sent to Jasper Municipal Council. Mayor ...
this is a test
Council briefs: Charging stations, construction co-ordinator & taxes
Community
Council briefs: Charging stations, construction co-ordinator & taxes
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative 
Friday, June 13, 2025
Jasper council approves EV charging stations, another recovery position Jasper council approved the establishment of two new electric vehicle (EV) cha...
this is a test
Biggest Valemountain Days yet this weekend
Community
Biggest Valemountain Days yet this weekend
Abigail Popple, freelance contributor 
Friday, June 13, 2025
Pancakes, petting zoo, pony rides, parades and more happening in Jasper's neighbouring village in B.C. The village of Valemount, B.C., is gearing up f...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Tents allowed after all: Parks Canada

Arts and Culture, Local Dining, Local Government, News

Most Read ›
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Introducing Linwood Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Linwood Homes
Saturday, June 28, 2025
How long have you been in business? Linwood Homes was founded i n 1968 in Alberta. Our business is over 55 years old. How many homes have you built? W...
this is a test
Latest ›
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Arts & Culture
Aussie folk artist topping live music event at JPP
Sophie Pfisterer, freelance contributor 
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
One of Jasper’s most popular restaurants will soon be dishing up live music and good vibes. On July 4 at 8:30 p.m., Jasper Pizza Place will host a roo...
this is a test
Trail tech: The next generation
Biking
Trail tech: The next generation
Georgia Ristivojevic 
Monday, June 30, 2025
Rugged roads and twisting trails await those who seek. Thanks to its history of trail use by outfitters and recreationalists, Jasper has established i...
this is a test
Introducing Linwood Homes
Featured Builders
Introducing Linwood Homes
Saturday, June 28, 2025
How long have you been in business? Linwood Homes was founded i n 1968 in Alberta. Our business is over 55 years old. How many homes have you built? W...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local