The Calgary Zoo, operated by the Wilder Institute, is currently conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the escape of a grizzly bear from its enclosure on Sunday morning. Colleen Baird, the zoo’s director of animal care, health, and welfare, mentioned during a media briefing on Monday afternoon that a thorough investigation is ongoing to identify necessary enhancements to the habitat and mitigation strategies.
Staff members discovered that Fitz, a one-year-old rescued grizzly bear cub, was outside his designated area during routine early morning checks prior to the zoo’s opening to the public. Baird stated, “Our emergency response procedures were promptly activated by the animal care, health, and welfare team.”
The bear was tranquilized shortly after the incident and is reported to be in good health. Baird assured the public that there was “no risk” to safety as the bear did not pose a threat during the incident, which occurred before the zoo opened, and Fitz remained in close proximity to his enclosure.
Following the incident, the Wild Canada section, where the zoo’s bears are housed, was temporarily closed but later reopened in the afternoon. The Calgary Police were alerted and remained on standby at the scene, although there were no reports of any aggressive behavior from the bear.
The exact timing of Fitz’s escape remains unknown, with Baird explaining, “It could have been overnight, a few hours, or even just half an hour. We lack concrete evidence at this point.” She emphasized that there were no indications of the bear wandering around the zoo overnight, as security footage did not capture any movement beyond the immediate vicinity.
It is believed that Fitz managed to escape by climbing over the enclosure’s barriers, which are eight to 10 feet high and equipped with internal hot wire, granting him access to an area outside his habitat. Baird noted the extensive safety measures in place at the zoo to prevent such incidents and mentioned that the entire Calgary Zoo is enclosed by a high barbed wire fence as an additional security measure.
Both Fitz and his brother Turner have been temporarily relocated from their enclosure to a secure area within the zoo. Baird confirmed ongoing evaluations to determine necessary improvements to the habitat based on the investigation’s findings. The two bear cubs were brought to the zoo last fall after their mother was killed in self-defense by a hunter near Diamond Valley, southwest of Calgary.