After nearly five decades, brown bears have returned to the Lincoln Park Zoo, marking a significant moment for the historic institution and wildlife enthusiasts throughout the city. The arrival of two female brown bears—Ash and Lexi—was officially announced this week, signaling the zoo’s renewed focus on showcasing native North American wildlife and enhancing its conservation education efforts.
The two bears, both originally from Montana, arrived at the zoo from the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, where they had been housed together for several years. Removed from the wild as cubs after developing habits of foraging in human areas, Ash and Lexi were deemed unreleasable by wildlife officials. Their new home in Chicago offers not only a safe and stimulating environment but also the opportunity to educate the public about the ecological role of large carnivores and the challenges they face in the wild.
Ash and Lexi are not just any bears—they share a close bond as aunt and niece, though they are often mistaken for sisters due to their strong companionship. According to their former keepers, Ash tends to be more food-driven and takes the lead during training sessions, while Lexi is the more adventurous of the pair, eager to explore new surroundings and interact with enrichment tools. Both bears are adjusting well to their new environment, which has been specially designed to replicate the conditions of their native habitats with naturalistic elements such as rock formations, water features, and dense plantings.
The new bear exhibit is housed within the Walter Family Arctic Tundra area of the zoo, a section that has recently undergone renovations to accommodate the return of large carnivores. The habitat was constructed with both animal welfare and visitor engagement in mind, allowing guests to observe the bears through immersive viewing areas while ensuring the animals have ample space to roam, climb, and forage. With the bears preparing to enter a seasonal state of torpor—a form of hibernation common in brown bears during the winter—zookeepers have adjusted feeding schedules and provided environmental cues to support their natural rhythms.
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The reintroduction of brown bears is part of a broader initiative by Lincoln Park Zoo to highlight regional species and to deepen the public’s understanding of conservation efforts in North America. Zoo officials have stated that this move reflects growing public interest in large predator species and their roles in ecosystem health. It also aligns with Chicago’s broader efforts to enhance its recreational and cultural attractions, particularly during off-peak tourism seasons.
Public response to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. Families, educators, and animal lovers from around the region have expressed excitement about the opportunity to see these iconic animals up close. The zoo expects a surge in visitor attendance, particularly among children and school groups, and is encouraging guests to plan ahead due to anticipated crowding in the exhibit area.
The Lincoln Park Zoo, founded in 1868 and located in the heart of the city’s namesake park, remains one of the few free admission zoos in the country. Its mission has long emphasized wildlife conservation, education, and accessibility, and the return of the brown bears is a powerful symbol of the zoo’s ongoing evolution. It also represents a commitment to showcasing species that are not only charismatic but deeply relevant to discussions about habitat loss, climate change, and human-wildlife coexistence.
Brown bears, including the grizzly bear subspecies, once roamed widely across the western and northern United States. Today, their populations are fragmented and increasingly vulnerable due to habitat encroachment and human conflict. Through exhibits like this, the zoo hopes to shed light on their conservation status and inspire guests to support wildlife preservation efforts both locally and globally.
As Ash and Lexi settle into their new surroundings, zoo staff are working closely with veterinary teams and animal behaviorists to monitor their health and acclimation. Enrichment activities are tailored to stimulate their natural instincts, encouraging behaviors such as digging, foraging, and swimming. Over time, the zoo plans to incorporate the bears into educational programming and seasonal events, creating further opportunities for public learning and connection.
In bringing brown bears back to the Lincoln Park Zoo after nearly 50 years, Chicago gains not only two new animal ambassadors but a renewed opportunity to engage the public in meaningful conversations about wildlife, nature, and the shared responsibility of stewardship. For many Chicagoans, the return of these powerful creatures is more than just an exhibit opening—it is a historic homecoming.