Grizzlies killing livestock prompt Alberta rancher to ask province for help

An elk rancher near Calgary says he has lost twenty animals to grizzly bears in the past two years.

Win Niebler says the province needs to commit more resources to solving the growing problem.

• Ranchers spotting grizzlies in southern Alberta

Niebler said he wants to live in harmony with the grizzliesbut there are more of them every year on his land near Priddis, which is about 50 kilometres southwest of Calgary.

Especially if they have broken into your livestock herd they will come back- elk rancherWinn Niebler

"Especially if they have broken into your livestock herd they will come back," said Niebler, who has an elk herd of about 100.

"And, you know, I think there should be a mechanism in place that if bears have been in trouble once, or maximum twice, that they're not just being relocated and coming back that they may have to be put down."

Niebler said he also wants the province to pay for his lost animals and pitch in for electric fencing.

Grizzly hunting illegal

Gary Akins, a rancher in Millarville, saidcattle spooked by bears have trampled calves.

Akins said he can't protect his cattle because it is against the law in Alberta to shoot grizzlies. He would like to see grizzlies taken off the threatened species list,or have more wildlife officers on the ground to relocate problem bears.

"There just isn't enough officers to take care of the problem. If they can trap them all and move them, that's fine. If they can't, youcan't just take a man's livelihood away from him."

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers should also be quicker to dispose of carcasses, which attract more bears.

Ranchers in the Foothills held a meeting last month with the government to look for solutions.