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The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo says its two grizzly bears, Fitz and Turner, will be returned to their enclosure Saturday after being out of public view for the last two weeks.
The bears had been away from the exhibit since Aug. 16, when Fitz was found outside their enclosure.
The zoo said it’s unclear when exactly the bear escaped or how long it was out.
The enclosure has been upgraded to prevent another escape, including reinforcing the existing fencing and adding a new 90-degree overhang designed to keep the bears from reaching the top of the fence.
The zoo says it will continue to monitor the bears’ behaviour and make additional changes to the enclosure if necessary.
The empty grizzly bear enclosure, pictured after Fitz and Turner were temporarily removed in the aftermath of Fitz’s escape. (Amir Said/CBC)
It’s believed Fitz got out by climbing above the enclosure’s containment barriers — 2.5 to three metres high with hot wire inside — which allowed him to access an area located just outside and above his habitat.
The zoo said there was “no risk” to public safety when the grizzly bear escaped, as the incident took place before the zoo opened to the public and the bear remained close to his enclosure.
Fitz and Turner were brought to the zoo as cubs last fall after their mother was killed by a hunter in self-defence near Diamond Valley, southwest of Calgary.