Alberta’s government has committed $700,000 over five years, starting with 2023-24, to continue the Carnivores and Communities Program (CACP).
The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association has worked to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife in the Waterton Biosphere Region through CACP to decrease the frequency of human and livestock contact with growing grizzly bear, black bear and wolf and cougar populations.
Alberta’s government has supported the CACP since 2009 through a series of single and multi-year grants. The last three-year grant agreement ended on March 31, 2023.
“The CACP takes a community-based approach, working with Albertans living in the area to reduce primary agriculture attractants by managing dead livestock and bee yards, and securing facilities for grain, feed and garbage while ensuring both people and carnivores have a place on the land,” says Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks.
Initiatives under the CACP include:
- Deadstock Removal Program;
- On-farm carcass composting;
- Electric fence installation;
- Wildlife attractant reduction, and;
- Bear safety training for ranch families.
“Coexisting with wildlife, including large carnivores, is an everyday part of living and working in rural Alberta. The Carnivores and Communities Program is making a difference for farmers, ranchers and landowners in the Waterton Biosphere Region and this investment will help protect humans, wildlife and infrastructure.”
