MADISON, Wis. -- Time is running out to see two grizzly bears at the Henry Vilas Zoo.

The zoo announced Thursday that females Ash and Lexi will move to another AZA-accredited institution later this month. The two 14-year-old grizzlies arrived in Madison in 2015.

The pair were born in Montana but developed a penchant for raiding trash cans. They were captured by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and deemed nuisance bears, meaning they couldn't be sent back to the wild.

"It’s been such a joy to watch them grow up here in Madison," lead keeper Kristin Myers said. " We got to see them turn into mature bears with unique personalities."

The move frees up space for the zoo to welcome new polar bears. The zoo announced last month that 10-year-old polar bear Nora will soon co

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