By THE ALASKA STORY
July 17, 2026 – A female brown bear involved in an altercation at the Alaska Zoo last month has been relocated to a temporary home at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Portage.
The bear, known as Kitty at the zoo and now renamed Taiga, was moved with assistance from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She will remain separated from other bears while officials work toward a permanent placement.
The relocation follows an abrupt June 13 altercation between Kitty and Izzy, a male brown bear at the Alaska Zoo. Kitty suffered injuries but made a quick and complete recovery under the care of the zoo’s veterinary and animal-care staff, according to zoo officials. The attack was widely shared on social media.
“When Kitty came to us, she needed significant care, and our staff worked tirelessly to help her regain her health,” Alaska Zoo Executive Director Tristan Thon said. “This has been a difficult and emotional situation for our team.”
Thon said the decision to move Kitty was made because zoo officials believe it offers the best path forward for the bear.
“We are grateful to AWCC and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for their support as partners in that process,” he said.
Zoo veterinarian Dr. Chris Michetti said Kitty’s health was closely monitored throughout her time at the Anchorage facility.
“Following the June incident, her recovery progressed exactly as we hoped, with excellent wound healing and no complications related to those injuries,” Michetti said.
The zoo’s brown bear habitat has remained closed since threats were made against the bears following the incident. Zoo officials said the closure also provided Izzy, Kitty and Oreo, the zoo’s other female brown bear, with a quiet environment while the animals were kept apart and Kitty’s future was evaluated.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center said it is prepared to care for Kitty/Taiga temporarily or for a longer period if needed.
“Whether our role is temporary or long-term, our shared commitment is to ensure each animal receives the highest standard of care,” AWCC Executive Director Sarah Howard said. “We appreciate the strong partnership between our organizations and remain ready to assist however we can.”
Kitty arrived at the Alaska Zoo in June 2025 after state and federal officials shut down her former home in Haines. Zoo officials said she arrived in poor physical condition and required extensive care before recovering and joining Izzy and Oreo.
She lived with the zoo’s two resident brown bears for nearly a year before the June altercation.
Izzy came to the Alaska Zoo as an orphan in 2010, while Oreo has lived there since arriving as an orphan in 1998. The zoo has cared for brown bears at different stages of life during its 57-year history.
Zoo officials said Kitty will be greatly missed by the staff members who helped nurse her back to health.
“The well-being of all Alaska Zoo animals remains our top priority, and we are excited for Kitty in her next phase,” the zoo said.
