Calgary Zoo announces names of orphaned grizzly cubs

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has taken in two orphaned grizzly cubs from southern Alberta. (Wilder Institute)

Staff at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have announced the names of two grizzly cubs taken in after being orphaned.

The cubs, born in 2025, were discovered alone in southern Alberta after their mother was killed in an encounter with a human near Diamond Valley.

Because of their young age, the bears were fully dependent on their mom and would have died if left alone in the wild.

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As such, they were taken in by the zoo.

On Monday, officials revealed the lighter-coloured cub would be called Fitz and the darker one would be named Turner.

“Both names are inspired by the area where the cubs are originally from – a tribute to their early life and iconic southern Alberta landscapes,” said a social media post from the zoo. “Fitz is named after Fitzsimmons Creek near Diamond Valley, and his brother Turner is named after Turner Valley.”

Though officials originally thought one of the bears was a female, an in-depth health check confirmed they’re both male.

The brothers have moved from the zoo’s animal health centre to their back-of-house space in Wild Canada, where they have settled in.

“Both cubs are still somewhat shy and cautious, but they’ve been exploring more and more — and of course, taking many seasonally appropriate daytime naps,” the zoo said.

The cubs are also exhibiting different personality traits: Fitz is the bolder of the two while Turner is more reserved, the zoo said.

They should be on display to the public by the spring.