In 2017, the public release of GrizzTracker, a bear management app developed by Alberta Environment, marked the beginning of a comprehensive study on the bear population in the region. The study’s four authors, two from Mount Royal University and two from the provincial government, aimed to streamline data collection and map bear movements to identify potential hot spots for human-bear encounters.
Two years after its launch, GrizzTracker has proven to be an effective tool for collecting scientific data on bears in the area. Developed as a public education tool, it allows users to report bear sightings, catalogue them with photos, GPS data, and observations on bear behavior. This standardized and automated approach makes data collection more efficient and rigorous while also demonstrating Albertans’ ability to participate in scientific research.
The Bear Management Area 1 served as the testing ground for this program. Covering a vast area west of Peace River and north of Notikewin Provincial Park’s boundaries, this zone was selected for its size and potential for human-bear encounters. With GrizzTracker’s help, researchers hope to better understand bear behavior in this region and develop strategies to minimize conflicts between humans and bears.
