ARVIAT - An estimated 12 grizzly bears have been caught near two communities in the Kivalliq region in the last year, and Hunters and Trappers Organization managers say their numbers are increasing.

Alex Ishalook, chair of the Arviat HTO said nine grizzlies have been shot near the community in the last year. Three have been killed so far this year.

Grizzly bears like these are becoming more common in the Kivalliq region. - photo courtesy of Amanda Dumond

"Three have been shot to date," he said. "But from last year in total, probably eight to nine, last summer and this year."

He said there could be more bears outside the community that haven't been reported, and people out on the land have been shooting to scare them off.

"The majority of the time they just shoot to scare them away," said Ishalook. "Not specifically to shoot at the bear but just to scare them away."

He said a bear was spotted near a lake outside the community the week of June 30.

"They said it was roughly around eight to nine feet," he said about the bear's size.

He said it was not the only bear that has been spotted recently.

"There was another one where it was seen somewhere around the river," he said.

Norman Ford, HTO manager in Rankin Inlet said there have been fewer bears reported so far this year, but numbers in the region have definitely been growing.

"This year it seems to be down from last year, but over the last couple of years they have been on the increase," he said.

He said he believes warmer temperatures are drawing them north.

"The warm weather, of course, is drawing them to the cool areas," he said.

Malik Awan, a carnivore biologist with the department of environment, said mining exploration and other activities might be causing the bears to move into the Kivalliq region from the western Arctic.

"This is may be due to more activity in exploration and these things causing disturbance on the land and the animals are moving toward the east," he said.

Awan said the department is still unclear as to whether the bears are establishing a resident population or if they are just lone adolescent males.

"We are still not sure if these are just wandering young males," he said.

Awan also said the department is conducting a study on grizzlies near Kugluktuk and is considering expanding the research into the Kivalliq region.