A young grizzly bear named Fitz from the Calgary Zoo briefly ventured outside his designated area, prompting swift emergency protocols to be activated. According to a statement from Cindy Antonello, the communications manager at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo, the incident occurred early Sunday morning before the zoo’s opening hours.
Zoo staff, along with the Calgary Police Service, promptly responded to the situation. Fitz was safely immobilized and relocated back to his designated space without any harm to visitors, employees, volunteers, or other animals.
Following the incident, the Wild Canada section where the bears are housed was temporarily closed for assessment and later reopened to the public in the afternoon. Antonello confirmed that a thorough review of the incident would be conducted as part of post-incident procedures.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon assured the public that there was no risk to safety during the bear’s escapade. He mentioned that the bear roamed around peacefully before being tranquilized by zoo staff.
Fitz and his sibling, Turner, were brought to the zoo as orphaned cubs last year after their mother was tragically killed by a hunter near Diamond Valley, southwest of Calgary.
The incident involving Fitz’s brief escapade has sparked interest in the zoo’s animal management practices and emergency response protocols. The Calgary Zoo continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its animal residents and visitors alike.