A young grizzly bear named Fitz from the Calgary Zoo’s Wilder Institute wandered beyond his designated habitat early Sunday morning. According to a spokesperson, emergency protocols were promptly activated, and the zoo’s animal care and security teams, along with the Calgary Police Service, swiftly responded to the situation.
After successfully immobilizing Fitz, the animal care team safely relocated him to a secure area behind the scenes without any harm to visitors, staff, volunteers, or other animals. The incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public, leading to a temporary closure of the Wild Canada area where the bears reside. The area was thoroughly assessed and reopened in the afternoon.
Following the event, the zoo’s team will conduct a thorough review as part of standard post-incident procedures. Further details are not available at this time, as stated by communications manager Cindy Antonello.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon reassured the public that there was no danger during the incident, mentioning that the bear took a leisurely stroll around the zoo before being tranquilized by zoo personnel. Fitz and his sibling Turner were introduced to the zoo as orphaned cubs last autumn after their mother’s tragic demise near Diamond Valley.
Throughout the incident, police officers were on standby while the zoo managed the situation. Guigon noted that despite initial concerns due to the bear’s species, Fitz seemed more interested in exploring than causing harm.
The Calgary Zoo has had a challenging history with bears, including polar bears, over the years. The zoo has made commitments to uphold new standards as it welcomes its latest bear residents.