Alaska Zoo female bear moved to solitary enclosure after June attack; ADF&G release came 32 days later

A female brown bear at the Alaska Zoo was moved to a solitary enclosure after an altercation with a male bear, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said in a July 16 release.

ADF&G said it was notified by the zoo on June 14. The Alaska Zoo issued a written update on June 15 and posted a social-media update on June 18. The state’s press release followed nearly four weeks later.

The female had been confiscated by ADF&G and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in June 2025 and placed at the zoo. The two bears had shared an enclosure since September 2025 without prior incidents.

Zoo staff separated the animals quickly after observing the altercation. Both bears were sedated and received veterinary care. ADF&G said injuries to both are manageable and no long-term complications are expected. The zoo and ADF&G jointly determined that transferring the female to a new enclosure was in her best interest as a precautionary measure.

The zoo's June 18 post named the bear as Kitty (Taiga). "We know that many in our community and beyond are concerned about how Kitty (Taiga) the brown bear is doing after the abrupt altercation," the zoo said. "She is recovering quickly," it added, noting "she will remain separated from the other bears."

The ADF&G release said the department is "confident the situation was managed promptly and appropriately by Alaska Zoo staff." ADF&G and the Alaska Zoo said they "remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and continue to prioritize the health, safety, and quality of life of the animals in their care."