One of the grizzly bears at the Calgary Zoo ventured outside its enclosure briefly. The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo spokesperson informed CBC News that Fitz, a one-year-old grizzly bear, left his habitat around 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday. Cindy Antonello, the communications manager, stated that emergency response protocols were quickly activated.
The zoo’s animal care and security teams, along with the Calgary Police Service, promptly handled the situation. Fitz was safely immobilized and relocated by the animal care team without any harm to guests, 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 are housed. The area was later reopened after a thorough assessment by the zoo’s teams.
Antonello mentioned that a post-incident review would be conducted, with no additional details available at present. Staff Sgt. John Guigon of the Calgary Police Service confirmed that there was no risk to the public during the bear’s escapade. He described how the bear wandered around the zoo, sat down, and was tranquilized by zoo staff.
Fitz and his brother Turner arrived at the zoo as cubs last autumn following their mother’s unfortunate death near Diamond Valley. Police officers were on standby at the scene but let the zoo manage the situation. Guigon noted that while there was initial concern due to the bear’s species, it seemed more curious than threatening.
The history of polar bears at the Calgary Zoo, including past issues and the zoo’s commitment to new standards, was highlighted in a recent report. Multiple bear sightings have been reported in Calgary, with experts explaining their presence in urban areas. Additionally, the complex nature of grizzly bear hibernation was discussed in another article.
Overall, the incident was resolved without harm, and the zoo authorities are set to review and learn from the situation.