The Calgary Zoo, part of the Wilder Institute, is currently investigating an incident in which a grizzly bear managed to escape his enclosure on Sunday morning. According to the zoo’s director of animal care, health, and welfare, a thorough review is ongoing to identify necessary improvements to the habitat and implement mitigation measures.
Staff discovered that Fitz, a one-year-old rescued grizzly bear cub, was outside his designated area during routine early morning checks before the zoo opened to the public. Promptly, the animal care team activated emergency response procedures and successfully tranquilized the bear, ensuring his well-being.
The zoo assured the public that there was no risk to safety as the incident occurred before opening hours, and the bear remained near his enclosure. The Wild Canada section, where the bears are housed, was temporarily closed but later reopened in the afternoon.
Authorities from the Calgary Police responded to the situation, although the bear showed no signs of aggression and seemed more curious than threatening, as stated by Staff Sgt. John Guigon.
It remains unclear when Fitz escaped or how long he was out of his enclosure. However, zoo officials are confident that he did not wander around the premises overnight, as no signs of disturbance or footprints were found, and security cameras did not capture him leaving the immediate vicinity.
It is believed that Fitz managed to climb over the enclosure’s containment barriers, which were eight to ten feet high with hot wire, allowing him to reach an area outside his habitat. Despite the escape, the zoo emphasized its multiple layers of security measures to prevent such incidents.
Fitz and his brother Turner have been temporarily relocated to a secure area within the zoo while additional precautions and habitat improvements are being evaluated based on the investigation’s findings. The two grizzly bear cubs were brought to the zoo after their mother was killed near Calgary last fall.
