One of the young grizzly bears at the Calgary Zoo, Fitz, managed to exit his designated area briefly. The incident occurred early on a Sunday morning, prompting immediate activation of emergency protocols, according to a spokesperson from the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo. The animal care and security teams, along with the Calgary Police Service, swiftly responded to the situation.
Fitz was safely immobilized and relocated back to his designated space without any harm caused to visitors, staff, volunteers, or other animals, stated communications manager Cindy Antonello. The zoo’s Wild Canada section, where the bears reside, was temporarily closed for assessment before reopening later in the day.
Antonello confirmed that the incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public. She mentioned that a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the event would be conducted as part of the post-incident procedures, with no further details available at the moment.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon assured that there was no risk to the public during the bear’s escapade. He mentioned that the bear wandered around the zoo before being tranquilized by zoo personnel, emphasizing that public safety was maintained throughout the incident.
Fitz and his sibling Turner were introduced to the zoo last autumn after their mother was fatally shot in self-defense by a hunter near Diamond Valley, located southwest of Calgary.