A young grizzly bear named Fitz from the Calgary Zoo wandered outside his designated area early Sunday morning, according to a spokesperson from the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo. The incident triggered emergency protocols promptly, with the zoo’s animal care and security teams collaborating with the Calgary Police Service. The bear was safely immobilized and relocated without any harm to visitors, staff, volunteers, or other animals.
The incident occurred before the zoo’s official opening, and the Wild Canada section, where the bears reside, was temporarily closed and inspected before reopening later in the day. The zoo will conduct a thorough review of the situation as part of its standard post-incident procedures.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon assured the public that there was no risk during the incident. He mentioned that the bear strolled around the zoo, eventually settling down and being sedated by zoo personnel. Despite police presence, they remained on standby as the zoo managed the situation.
Fitz, along with his sibling Turner, arrived at the zoo as orphaned cubs last autumn following their mother’s unfortunate demise by a hunter near Diamond Valley, southwest of Calgary.
