Overview
- The two female bears arrived from Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison and are now on view at the Walter Family Arctic Tundra habitat.
- Both were removed from the wild after becoming conditioned to human food in Montana and were designated unreleasable by state officials.
- Keepers describe a close bond between the pair, with Ash more food‑motivated in training while Lexi is typically the braver explorer.
- Lincoln Park Zoo curator Cassy Kutilek says their story underscores the role of accredited zoos in caring for rescued animals that cannot return to the wild.
- With colder weather approaching, staff expect the bears to enter winter torpor soon, resulting in longer periods of inactivity for visitors.