VIDEO: BC grizzly bear emerges from winter slumber

Spring has sprung and that means it is time for bears all around the province to emerge from their winter hibernation.

Normally, that’s a part of nature that humans do not get to witness, but thanks to the staff at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, you can see the very moment a grizzly bear emerges from his winter slumber.

The resort posted a video on Monday that shows long-time resident grizzly bear, Boo, waking up from his lengthy winter rest.

“We were extremely fortunate to capture Boo’s 20th emergence from his den,” the resort noted.

Boo and his brother Cari were left orphaned and defenceless at just five months of age after their mother was shot and killed by a poacher in June 2002.

The cubs, named for British Columbia’s Cariboo Mountains, might have been euthanized, but were instead given a second lease on life and a new home at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge.

“The Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge was built specifically for the orphaned cubs,” the resort’s website explains.

“Observing their behaviour and life skill development has provided a unique opportunity for grizzly bear research. Observations about foraging, play, sleep, social skills, and many other activities are recorded daily.”

The 20-acre refuge allows a rare in-depth analysis of grizzly bear hibernation as a log den was constructed for the cubs to use in the winter, which includes a motion-activated camera to continuously monitor activity inside.

“As a result, we now know that grizzly bears engage in limited activity during the winter, unlike true hibernators,” the website adds.

“For that reason, we now use the more accurate term winter dormancy rather than hibernation when referring to a bear’s winter slumber.”

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Unfortunately, Cari never woke up from his first winter dormancy and passed away inside the den from a spontaneous twist of his intestines.

Despite losing his mother and brother in such short order, Boo has thrived living alone at the refuge over the past two decades.

Staff at Kicking Horse have learned that an orphaned grizzly cub can learn essential life skills independently, without a mother bear’s guidance, provided they have a suitable habitat, space and opportunity like the one provided by the refuge.

For that reason, Boo will live out his lifetime as a beloved member of the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge.

“He serves a vital role that we hope will benefit future orphaned grizzly bear cubs. We continue to learn from Boo while at the same time allowing him to live the best captive life possible,” the website says.

“He is an inspiration for everyone who comes to see him, and he is an outstanding ambassador for this magnificent species.”

For now, Boo is transitioning from his dormant state to a phase that is affectionately known as “walking hibernation,” where his body is reversing the effects of his months-long nap.

In a few weeks, however, the grizzly bear will be ready to greet guests of the resort up close and personal and Kicking Horse promises some “exciting plans” for his 20th year.