Calgary, AB – Early Sunday morning, just before the gates were set to welcome eager visitors, the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo experienced a brief but dramatic grizzly bear escape. Fitz, a one-year-old male grizzly, somehow managed to exit his habitat around 7:30 a.m., prompting an immediate, full-scale emergency response from zoo staff. Fortunately, this startling incident concluded without a single injury to animals, staff, or potential guests.
Officials confirmed the swift activation of emergency procedures. Zoo media relations quickly informed the public that Fitz was successfully immobilized within the zoo grounds. The dedicated Animal Care, Health & Welfare team then safely relocated the young bear to his secure, back-of-house space. What an ordeal for the young cub!
Assessing the Grizzly Bear Escape Aftermath
Though the zoo opened to the public shortly after 9 a.m., approximately an hour and a half behind schedule, the Wild Canada section – home to the grizzly habitat – remained cordoned off. This allowed for a thorough assessment of the area, a critical step following any animal containment breach. Following the grizzly bear escape, officials confirmed that the section was ultimately reopened to the public by early Sunday afternoon, much to the relief of many.
Fitz, a captivating cub, first made his public debut at the Calgary Zoo in May, alongside his sibling. Both were orphaned last fall near Diamond Valley, making their story particularly poignant for zoo visitors. The institution’s teams are now meticulously reviewing all circumstances surrounding the incident as part of their established post-incident protocols, aiming to understand precisely how this grizzly bear escape occurred and to prevent any future occurrences.
Rest assured, the safety and well-being of both animals and visitors remain the paramount concern for the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo. For those interested in contributing to public discourse, we encourage you to review our policy guidelines. Further details are anticipated as their investigation unfolds.
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