The Calgary Zoo, operated by the Wilder Institute, is looking into the details regarding the escape of a grizzly bear from its enclosure on Sunday morning.
In a media briefing held on Monday afternoon, the zoo’s director of animal care, health, and welfare announced that an investigation is currently underway to assess potential habitat enhancements and preventative strategies.
“Our teams are conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the events that led to Fitz’s brief escape from his habitat,” stated Colleen Baird.
During routine morning checks prior to public entry, staff discovered that Fitz, a one-year-old rescued grizzly bear cub, had exited his containment area.
“The animal care health and welfare team promptly initiated our emergency response protocols,” Baird explained.
The bear was quickly tranquilized and is reported to be in good health.
Colleen Baird, director of animal care, health, and welfare at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo, addresses reporters on Aug. 17. (Amir Said/CBC)
Baird reassured that there was “no risk” to public safety since the incident happened before the zoo opened to visitors, and the bear remained near its enclosure throughout.
The Wild Canada exhibit, home to the zoo’s bears, was temporarily closed but reopened later in the afternoon.
Calgary police informed CBC News on Sunday night that they responded to the situation but were on standby.
“I’m sure there were concerns given the nature of a grizzly bear and their potential behavior, but the bear appeared to be more interested in exploring than causing trouble,” commented Staff Sgt. John Guigon.
Following the incident on the morning of Aug. 16, the Wild Canada area where the zoo’s bears reside was temporarily closed. (Amir Said/CBC)
The exact time Fitz managed to get out of his enclosure, as well as the duration of his escape, remains unclear.
<p"It could have been overnight, a couple of hours, or even just half an hour. We simply don’t know," Baird mentioned.
Zoo officials are optimistic that Fitz did not wander throughout the zoo overnight since there were no signs of any disturbances or footprints, and security footage did not show him venturing far from his immediate area.
The now-empty enclosure where grizzly bear brothers Fitz and Turner were kept. Both have been temporarily relocated as the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo investigates the circumstances of Fitz’s escape. (Amir Said/CBC)
It is believed that Fitz escaped by climbing over the enclosure’s containment barriers, which are eight to ten feet high and equipped with hot wire, allowing him access to an area just beyond his habitat.
“He would have had to exert considerable effort to escape,” Baird stated.
“Our methods for containing animals in the zoo, particularly those that are dangerous, include numerous layers of safety measures,” she elaborated. “Thus, he had to navigate through some of those, which likely was uncomfortable for him. He probably faced some challenging moments in his attempt to leave that habitat.”
Additionally, a tall barbed wire fence surrounds the entire Calgary Zoo, which is part of the zoo’s comprehensive “layers upon layers of mitigation” designed to prevent animals from escaping.
Orphans Turner and Fitz will reside in the Wild Canada exhibit. They explored their new habitat for the first time at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Thursday.
Fitz and his sibling Turner have been moved temporarily from their enclosure and are currently “safely and comfortably” residing in the zoo’s back-of-house area.
“Our teams are in the process of evaluating what further safety measures and habitat enhancements are appropriate based on the outcomes of the investigation,” Baird stated.
Fitz and Turner were taken to the zoo as cubs last fall after their mother was fatally shot by a hunter in self-defense near Diamond Valley, located southwest of Calgary.