Orphaned grizzly bear cubs officially make their debut at the Calgary Zoo

It’s not every day the Calgary Zoo gets a new addition, but these two young grizzly cubs come with a particularly unique and emotional story behind them.

The Calgary Zoo has welcomed the orphaned siblings Turner and Fitz, marking a new chapter for one of its most iconic animal habitats.

A new beginning in a familiar space

Born in 2025, and far too young to survive on their own, the two cubs were discovered in southern Alberta following a human-wildlife encounter near Diamond Valley that left them without their mother.

According to the Calgary Zoo, they were quickly taken into the care of wildlife officials in October 2025 and placed under the zoo’s temporary supervision, where they received round-the-clock monitoring.

As arrangements were made for their long-term future, the cubs gradually stabilized, began feeding well, and started adjusting to human care in a safe environment. This then led to their permanent home being the Calgary Zoo.

According to an Instagram post from the Calgary Zoo, the bears were recently seen out in their habitat, offering an early glimpse of their adjustment to their new environment.

A new chapter for the Calgary Zoo

Their arrival comes just under a year after the zoo said goodbye to two of its longtime grizzly residents, Skoki and Khutzeymateen, both of whom were 35 years old and passed from age-related complications. The transition marks both an ending and a new beginning for the zoo, continuing its 90-year legacy of grizzly bear care and conservation.

While their story carries plenty of hope, it also highlights the realities of human-wildlife coexistence. According to the Calgary Zoo, at this age, grizzly bear cubs are fully dependent on their mother, and unlike some species, cannot be safely rehabilitated and released without losing their natural fear of humans.

With a permanent home now secured at the Calgary Zoo, the two grizzly cubs are settling into a new chapter. Visitors can now see the newest residents as they continue to grow and explore their new habitat, and they’re already starting to capture plenty of attention while they’re out and about.

Calgary Zoo/Wilder Institute

When: Open 7 days a week
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 210 St. George’s Dr. NE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $35

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