Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes Two Brown Bears

Chicago (October 27, 2025) – There are two new bears in Chicago, but they’re making themselves at home a few miles north of Soldier Field. Female brown bears Ash and Lexi made their debut today at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Walter Family Arctic Tundra. This is the first time the zoo has cared for brown bears since 1979.

These grizzly girls come to Chicago from Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. While technically aunt and niece, Ash and Lexi are often referred to as sisters due to their closeness. Their playful demeanor and animated antics earned the duo lots of fans during their time in Wisconsin. Keepers from Henry Vilas Zoo say that Ash is more food motivated and is often the first one to participate in training sessions. However, Lexi is generally the braver bear, which means she’s more likely to be first to interact with new surroundings.

Ash and Lexi are considered fully adult bears, but their exact ages are unknown, as they were born in the wild. The two bears were removed from the wild as cubs and deemed “unreleasable” by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks after learning to raid trash cans and becoming dependent on human food.

“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!”

Around early November each year, brown bears go into a winter torpor, which is similar to hibernation. When Ash and Lexi enter this state, they will have long periods of inactivity each day while in a deep sleep. Torpor is an involuntary state where an animal’s heartbeat, breathing, and metabolism drastically slow down to conserve energy during a season with high food scarcity in the wild. While the bears at Lincoln Park Zoo could have access to a steady supply of food year-round, it’s important for the animals’ welfare that they are able to go through this natural cycle and are undisturbed during these prolonged sleep periods.

Female brown bears can weigh between 200 and 450 pounds and are around 3 feet tall at their shoulders. Although some might think that the “grizzly” name refers to a character trait of this bear species, it actually refers to the grizzled effect given to their coat due to the fur getting lighter at the tips. On top of their distinct coat color, brown bears can also be identified by their strong shoulders meant for digging, which give them a distinct hump in their back.

The native habitat range for brown bears spans continents, making them the most widely distributed bear species. In North America they are found in the forests and mountains of Alaska, Canada, and far northern American states. Grizzlies are a subspecies of brown bear that are found in the continental United States and Canada, while their cousin the Kodiak bear is a subspecies isolated to Alaska.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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