A young grizzly bear named Fitz at the Calgary Zoo briefly roamed outside his enclosure, triggering the activation of emergency response protocols early Sunday morning. Zoo officials swiftly immobilized Fitz and safely relocated him back to his designated area without any harm to visitors, staff, or animals.
The incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public, prompting a temporary closure of the Wild Canada section where the bears reside. After a thorough assessment, the area reopened later in the day. The zoo is conducting a post-incident review to understand the circumstances better.
Calgary Police Service confirmed that there was no threat to the public during the incident. Officers were on standby as zoo personnel managed the situation. The bear, identified as Fitz, was tranquilized by zoo staff after taking a leisurely stroll around the premises.
Fitz and his sibling Turner were introduced to the zoo last autumn following the unfortunate death of their mother in a hunting incident near Diamond Valley. The zoo authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals under their care.