A young grizzly bear named Fitz from the Calgary Zoo briefly left his designated area on Sunday morning, according to a spokesperson from the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo. The incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public, and emergency protocols were promptly activated. The zoo’s animal care and security teams, with the assistance of the Calgary Police Service, safely immobilized Fitz and relocated him back to his designated space without any harm to visitors, staff, volunteers, or other animals.
Following the incident, the Wild Canada section of the zoo, where the bears are kept, was temporarily closed for assessment and later reopened in the afternoon. The spokesperson mentioned that a thorough review of the situation would be conducted as part of the standard post-incident procedures.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon assured that there was no threat to the public during the bear’s escapade. He explained that the bear wandered around, sat down, and was tranquilized by zoo personnel without any aggressive behavior. Guigon added that although police officers were present at the scene, they were on standby as the zoo effectively managed the situation.
Fitz and his sibling Turner were brought to the zoo as cubs last autumn after their mother was tragically killed by a hunter near Diamond Valley, southwest of Calgary. The Calgary Zoo has a history of dealing with bears, including polar bears, and has committed to upholding new standards for animal care and safety.
Overall, the zoo authorities successfully handled the incident, ensuring the safety of both the animals and visitors.
