DENVER — At the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, guests recently faced off against Tundra the grizzly bear in a unique challenge: who could get into a trash can faster?

While kids tried to open a bear-proof container, Tundra easily broke into a standard one filled with her usual diet, demonstrating just how critical secure trash is for wildlife safety.

Tundra’s story highlights the real danger of human-wildlife conflict. She was orphaned after her mother became a “nuisance bear”—a term used for bears that lose their fear of people after repeated access to unsecured food.

Now living in the zoo’s Harmony Hill habitat, Tundra helps educate the public about coexisting with wildlife. The zoo reminds visitors: securing trash is one of the simplest ways to help keep wild animals safe and wild.

Source: Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance