Alaska Zoo female brown bear transferred to solitary enclosure after June attack

A female brown bear at the Alaska Zoo has been moved to a solitary enclosure following a June 14 altercation with a male bear, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced. The two bears had shared an enclosure since September 2025 without prior incidents. The female was transferred to the zoo after a June 2025 confiscation by ADF&G and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers.

Both bears were sedated, evaluated, and treated. Veterinary assessments found no expected long-term complications. ADF&G said it was confident zoo staff managed the situation promptly and appropriately, and that the transfer was in the female bear's best interest.

Petition Calls for Independent Review

A Change.org petition launched after video of the altercation circulated called on ADF&G to conduct an independent review of the zoo's animal integration and housing practices. "We are calling on Alaska Department of Fish and Game and relevant state wildlife authorities to conduct an independent, transparent review of the Alaska Zoo's animal integration and housing practices — not to punish the zoo, but to ensure that what happened on June 14 cannot happen again," the petition said.

ADF&G's release does not say where the female bear was transferred or whether a review is planned.