One of the young grizzly bears at the Calgary Zoo, named Fitz, managed to leave his designated habitat early one morning. The incident, which occurred before the zoo opened to the public, was swiftly addressed by the zoo’s emergency response procedures. The zoo’s communication manager, Cindy Antonello, confirmed the successful immobilization and relocation of Fitz by the animal care and security teams, with assistance from the Calgary Police Service. Fortunately, there were no injuries to guests, staff, volunteers, or other animals during the incident.
Following the incident, the Wild Canada area where the bears reside was temporarily closed for a full assessment before reopening later in the day. Antonello stated that a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident will be conducted as part of the post-incident procedures. The zoo has not provided any further details at this time.
Staff Sgt. John Guigon from the Calgary Police Service reassured the public that there was no danger during the bear’s brief excursion. He mentioned that the bear roamed around the zoo, but was safely tranquilized by the zoo’s team. Fitz and his sibling Turner were introduced to the zoo after being orphaned last year when their mother was killed near Diamond Valley.
The incident involving Fitz highlights the importance of zoo safety protocols and the effective response of the staff to ensure the well-being of both the animals and visitors.