Grouse Mountain grizzly bears wake up from hibernation
Posted May 3, 2023 10:42 pm.
It’s a sign spring is in the air, Grouse Mountain’s grizzly bears have woken up from hibernation.
The two bears, Grinder and Coola, have been asleep for the past 163 days in their den. This marks the third-longest hibernation for the pair since their arrival on the mountain.
“We’re excited to welcome Grinder and Coola out of hibernation and to watch them explore their habitat and stretch their legs,” said Dr. Ken Macquisten, Wildlife Refuge Director and Veterinarian.
“Hibernation through the winter is a natural way for Grizzlies to conserve energy during a time of low food availability.”
When they went down for their winter slumber, they each weighed about a thousand pounds.
They’ve bost lost quite a bit of weight in all of that downtime, with Grinder coming in at 718 pounds and Coola now weighing 827 pounds.
Grouse Mountain says the bears will be on a diet of iceberg lettuce for the next little while to lubricate their digestive systems before bringing other vegetables back into their diets.
After their third-longest hibernation since arriving at Grouse Mountain, grizzly bears Grinder and Coola rose from their slumber to stretch their legs and have some fun in the sun. (Submitted by: Grouse Mountain)
Grinder and Coola have been living at Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife for the past 22 years.
“As our team works to gradually expand their habitat to its full size, we welcome guests to visit the bears at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife and stay connected with them virtually from around the world,” said Dr. Macquisten.
