As a long-distance hiker in Alberta, I've seen the dramatic decline of the province's wildlife firsthand. Every summer, the forests seem quieter, the rivers less vibrant. There are fewer animals left to marvel at, let alone to hunt. It's deeply concerning.

This concern isn't unwarranted. Alberta Parks and Forestry Minister Todd Loewen has recently lifted furbearer trapping limits for the 2024-25 season in most zones. This change in legislation poses a direct threat to already at-risk species like Wolverines, Lynx, Fisher, and River Otters. Additionally, hunters are now given carte blanche to kill mother Cougars with dogs in our Parks and "problem" threatened Grizzly Bears.

The minister has expanded the species that can be hunted under a special license, bounty hunting and trophy hunting, such as Mountain Goats, Wolves, and Coyotes, and has expanded seasons and locations for hunting. I scour the cliffs every time I hike 25km and I very rarely see any Mountain Goats. 

These changes are not based on any scientific evidence, and there is often no public consultation or announcement of these changes. All of these changes seem to benefit hunters and trappers and outfitters at the cost of all Albertans.

These changes disregard the basic principles of ethical wildlife management, further endangering our precious Alberta wildlife due to excessive hunting and trapping. Sustainable hunting is an important part of our heritage, but this is beyond reasonable limits: this is a move that profits from and potentially hastens the extinction of Alberta's unique wildlife. We cannot stand by and let this happen.

Let's put a stop to the unrestricted exploitation of our wildlife. Sign this petition to demand the reestablishment of reasonable, ethical trapping and hunting limits in Alberta to protect our endangered and at-risk species.