One of the grizzly bears at the Calgary Zoo was seen outside his enclosure for a brief period.
A representative from the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo informed CBC News that one-year-old grizzly bear Fitz “left his habitat” around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.
“Emergency response protocols were promptly initiated,” communications manager Cindy Antonello stated.
The zoo’s animal care and security teams responded alongside the Calgary Police Service.
“Fitz was successfully tranquilized, and our [animal care] team safely brought him back to his behind-the-scenes area,” Antonello added. “There were no injuries reported among guests, staff, volunteers, or animals.”
Orphans Turner and Fitz will live in the Wild Canada exhibit. They explored their new habitat at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for the first time Thursday.
Antonello mentioned that the incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public, but the Wild Canada section, where the bears reside, “was temporarily closed while our teams conducted a complete assessment of the area” prior to reopening in the afternoon.
“Our teams will analyze the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of our established post-incident protocols. We currently have no additional information to provide,” she stated.
Polar bears have been at the zoo in Calgary since the 1930s, but there has been a series of mishaps — even deaths — over the decades. CBC’s Josiah Sinanan explains that history, and how the zoo has committed to adhering to new standards with the introduction of its latest bears.
Calgary Police Service Staff Sgt. John Guigon confirmed that there was no threat to the public during the incident.
“The grizzly bear wandered out, strolled around the zoo, sat down, and was tranquilized by the zoo staff,” he stated.
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Guigon mentioned that police officers were dispatched to the scene but maintained a standby position while the zoo managed the situation.
“I’m sure there was concern given that it’s a grizzly bear and their potential capabilities, but the bear appeared to be more interested in exploring than causing trouble,” he remarked.
Fitz and his sibling Turner were brought to the zoo as cubs last fall after their mother was killed in self-defense by a hunter near Diamond Valley, located southwest of Calgary.