Action Alerts

You can help Alberta’s grizzly bears

From the The Grizzly Bear Alliance

The future of Alberta’s grizzly bears is more uncertain than ever. We finally have some very accurate estimates of the population, and the news is not good. Grizzly bear numbers in this province are low enough that they qualify for Endangered status in Alberta. Unfortunately the provincial government seems determined to continue stalling and offering up excuses for inaction. They need to hear from the public that we expect them to take the necessary steps to begin recovering this magnificent species.

They’ve had a Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan collecting dust in Edmonton since December 2004 – it’s time they accepted it and put the necessary funds behind it to start us down the road to recovery. They also need to stop ignoring the science and finally list them as an Endangered species under our provincial Wildlife Act.

Before you get too discouraged, we’d like to stress that it’s not too late to recover our grizzly bear. We know how to do it, our US neighbours have been successfully recovering their grizzly bear population for decades. We have the financial stability to invest in recovery and we still have adequate habitat for grizzlies in Alberta, we just need the political will to make it happen … that’s where you come in.

Please take a few minutes to phone or write a letter to Premier Stelmach and Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development asking them to list the species as Endangered and implement, improve and fully fund, the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. (Their contact info can be found below.)

We’ve also included a few points you may want to include in your letter. For those of you who want more details, please visit the Grizzly Bear Alliance Web site at www.grizzlybearalliance.org and click on “Updated backgrounder on status of grizzly bears in Alberta” along the left hand menu.

Remember, phone calls to the Minister and Premier are most effective, followed by letters (either mailed or faxed). E-mail messages are the least effective way for your voice to be heard. We also encourage you to contact your local MLA to let them know of your concerns. You can find contact info for your MLA at the following Web site: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home.

Premier Ed Stelmach
307 Legislature Building
10800 97 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Telephone: 780-427-2251 (dial 310-0000 first to avoid long distance charges)
Fax: 780-427-1349 (dial 310-0000 first to avoid long distance charges)
Fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca or go to http://premier.alberta.ca/contact

The Honourable Ted Morton
Minister of Sustainable Resource Development
420 Legislature Building
10800 97 Ave. Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6
Telephone: 780-415-4815 (dial 310-0000 first to avoid long distance charges)
Fax: 780-415-4818 (dial 310-0000 first to avoid long distance charges)
foothillsrockyview@assembly.ab.ca

Point you may want to make:

• We now have very strong scientific data suggesting the population is less than 500 bears. Recovery efforts should begin now, not in 2009.
• Five years ago, when we thought we had 1000 grizzly bears, the government’s advisory committee recommended they be listed as Threatened – now we know there is less than half that number, qualifying them as an Endangered species. We shouldn’t have to wait any longer for a decision on listing.
• 1.2 million of our tax dollars has funded these studies, we expect the government to act on their findings, not offer up more excuses for inaction.
• Suspending the hunt was an important first step, but it is absolutely inadequate on its own to recover the species.
• There should be a moratorium on new development in critical grizzly bear habitat until a recovery plan is begun.
• Alberta’s majestic grizzly – like oil, gas and water – is a non- renewable resource that should be valued and protected.

Thank you for your support and efforts!

The Grizzly Bear Alliance

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