EWC October'24 Update

By 
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy
October 25, 2024

Trapping Killing Contests & Wolf Bounties Have Returned to Alberta

The Exposed Wildlife Conservancy (EWC) has discovered that a province-wide trapping killing contest in Alberta has been launched by the Alberta Trapping Association (ATA) and the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS). Dubbed the “Alberta Ungulate Enhancement Program,” the non-government-sanctioned contest aims to “enhance ungulate populations in the Province of Alberta.” The “Top Wolf Contest” offers prizes of $5,000 for the top wolf killed, with $3,500 for second prize and $2,000 for third prize. The contest also pays a bounty of $250 per wolf with no limits on how many wolves are killed across the province or in any provincial Wildlife Management Unit. 

“The Alberta Ungulate Enhancement Program is not based on science, wildlife biology or ethics. It’s just an excuse for trappers to go kill as many wolves as they can this winter, under the false premise that killing wolves enhances ungulate populations, presumably so that hunters have more elk, moose and deer to kill. The argument that trapping is a necessary tool for wildlife management like this is not supported by current science and wildlife killing contests like this are abhorred in modern society,” states Kim Odland, EWC Co-Founder and a member of the Alberta Trapping Association.

“It's essential to highlight that this program is not government-sanctioned, and its actions lack scientific support, despite how it may appear. It primarily serves to justify and cover up the actions of trappers,” says EWC co-founder John E. Marriott, an award-winning conservation photographer based in Canmore, Alberta.

Questions Needing Answers

This commercial trapping program is both a wolf bounty and a killing contest. This program, combined with the outdated industrial trapping practices already prevalent in the trapping industry, including the use of killing neck snares, brings to light several questions that must be investigated and answered:

  1. Who is funding these programs? 
  2. Is the “Alberta Ungulate Enhancement Program,” sanctioned by the Alberta Government? If not, why is it being allowed? If it is, what research was done to approve it?
  3. How are trappers, consumptive users who make up less than 0.05% of our population, qualified  to “manage our wildlife” considering they require no formal education and only need to complete a weekend course to become licensed. 

Read the Press Release

We have recently released a press release to raise the alarm regarding the Alberta Trappers Association wolf trapping contest and bounties in Alberta. Read the press release to get all the information! 

Access the Press Release

New & Noteworthy

Photo Credit: John E. Marriott

The Trapped In the Past Campaign Returns


A Call for Humane Trapping Regulations and to Ban Neck Snares. 

Exposed's "Trapped in the Past" Campaign is a dedicated ongoing effort to tackle the critical flaws in Canada's outdated trapping regulations and their devastating effects on wildlife. We are targeting the outdated regulations in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), an agreement signed in 1997 and ratified by Canada in 1999 to establish humane trapping methods. Specifically focusing on the forgotten review of the AIHTS by The Canadian Furbearer Management Committee  (CFMC) which is over 20 years overdue.

Stand with us, let's make noise and demand answers and change!

We need your help!

1. We aim to raise $10,000 to fuel our Trapping Campaign.

The more funding we obtain, the more we can achieve in updating trapping regulations in Canada. This includes bringing on a specialized lawyer to expedite our efforts and take this issue to an international level. We believe that by making essential changes to these regulations, we can create a ripple effect that will lead to improvements in other crucial areas as well. 

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation? By becoming a monthly donor today, you can make a significant impact on our mission while gaining the peace of mind that comes with it.

Your ongoing support allows us to respond quickly and ramp up our efforts when challenges arise. To top it off, your donations are eligible for Canadian charitable tax receipt!


2. Neck snares are banned in over 85 countries, let Canada be next.

Add your voice and send a letter today to help encourage the ban of neck snares. It only takes a few minutes to make an impact by signing and sending our pre-filled letter to your government representative.

3. Did you know that over 1 in 3 Canadians don’t know that trapping is legal?

Send our trapping docu-series to your friends and family, or share to your social media and ensure the public has the information they need to take a stand. Learn more about commercial trapping and what you can do about it by watching or rewatching the 3-part documentary series.

Photo Credit: John E. Marriott

907F - The Queen of the Wolves

A Wolf Success Story!

At 11 years old, Wolf 907F, the leader of her pack in Yellowstone, continues to thrive defying the average lifespan of yellowstone wolves, who normally don’t live longer than 4 years. Despite this, she recently gave birth to her 10th litter.

Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 after being eradicated in the 1920s. Today, there are over 100 wolves in the park, but 907F stands out. She’s the sixth wolf to reach age 11 among thousands monitored.

907F leads a pack of about 10 wolves, having inherited her role from her late aunt. This stability has helped her avoid the dangers of dispersing to form a new pack. Her pack once peaked at 35 members, providing safety in numbers against rival wolves.

Despite losing an eye at four, she navigates her territory with remarkable skill. Her experience allows her to guide her pack in hunting and foraging, ensuring she remains a vital leader.

Photo Credit: John E. Marriott

Wildlife In the News

Exposed Co-Founder Wins Prestigious Wildlife Photography Award

John E. Marriott wins the Animal Portraits category with a photo of a family of lynx in the Yukon (pictured here)!

$1,000 Reward Offered for Information on Chilliwack Bear Poaching Case

Reward is being offered for the identification and conviction of the person(s) responsible for poaching two black bears in British Columbia.

Sincerely, 

The Team At Exposed

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