Two female brown bears, Ash and Lexi, have arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, marking the first time since 1979 that the zoo has housed brown bears. The pair made their debut at the Walter Family Arctic Tundra exhibit on October 27.
Ash and Lexi came from Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. Although they are technically aunt and niece, keepers often refer to them as sisters due to their close relationship. According to staff from Henry Vilas Zoo, Ash is motivated by food and tends to be the first to join training sessions, while Lexi is described as braver and more likely to explore new environments.
Both bears are adults of unknown age because they were born in the wild. As cubs, they were removed from their natural habitat after becoming dependent on human food sources and raiding trash cans. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks deemed them “unreleasable.”
“Ash and Lexi’s story is an inspiring one that reminds us of the important role accredited zoos can play in the lives of rescued animals that can’t return to the wild for their own safety,” said Lincoln Park Zoo Curator Cassy Kutilek. “We’re excited to get to know these two girls and their unique personalities—especially after their winter torpor!”
Each year around early November, brown bears enter a state called winter torpor, which resembles hibernation. During this period, Ash and Lexi will experience long stretches of inactivity as their heart rate, breathing, and metabolism slow down significantly—a process that helps conserve energy when food is scarce in the wild. Even though they could access food year-round at Lincoln Park Zoo, staff ensure that they can follow this natural cycle undisturbed for their welfare.
Female brown bears typically weigh between 200 and 450 pounds and stand about three feet tall at the shoulder. The term “grizzly” refers not to temperament but to the lighter tips on their fur that give a grizzled appearance. Brown bears also have strong shoulders adapted for digging.
Brown bears are found across multiple continents; in North America, they inhabit forests and mountains in Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. states. Grizzlies are a subspecies located in parts of the continental United States and Canada; Kodiak bears are another subspecies native only to Alaska.
Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868 as a free-admission institution focused on conservation, animal care, learning programs, and science initiatives.