In 2017, the public was introduced to GrizzTracker, an app developed by Alberta Environment. The primary goal of this app was to serve as a tool for public education and streamline data collection on bear movements. Two of the study’s authors hail from Mount Royal University, while Hughes and another author come from the provincial government.
The development of GrizzTracker was driven by a need to standardize and automate bear observation collection methods, making them more efficient and rigorous. Additionally, it aimed to showcase Albertans’ ability to contribute to scientific data collection efforts. Bear Management Area 1 served as the testing ground for this program, covering a vast area stretching west from Peace River to the B.C. boundary and beyond Notikewin Provincial Park’s boundaries.
A recent census found that at most, there are 973 bears remaining in the area where GrizzTracker was tested. This study began with the development of the app and its testing phase in Bear Management Area 1. The four authors of this study include two from Mount Royal University and two from the provincial government.
