In 2017, the GrizzTracker app was developed by Alberta Environment as a public education tool to streamline data collection and map bear movements. The app was created with the aim of identifying potential hot spots for human-bear encounters and allowing users to report bear sightings, catalogue them with photos, GPS data, and observations on bear behavior.
Two of the study’s four authors are from Mount Royal University while Hughes and another author are from the provincial government. The latest government census found that at most, 973 bears remain in the area. The study on the bear population began as the GrizzTracker app was developed and tested.
Developed by Alberta Environment, GrizzTracker was created to show Albertans can participate in the collection of scientific data. Bear Management Area 1 served as the testing ground for the program. The zone covers a vast area, stretching west from Peace River to the B.C. boundary and north, beyond the bounds of Notikewin Provincial Park.
