Two beloved residents of Grouse Mountain woke up from a lengthy nap on Thursday morning.
The mountain’s resident grizzly bears, Grinder and Coola, emerged from their 21st hibernation period at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.
It was a 171-day winter dormancy this year, which marks the bears’ longest since arriving at the refuge, one day longer than last year’s record.
“We’re excited to welcome Grinder and Coola out of hibernation and to watch them explore their habitat,” 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.”
While they were hibernating, Grinder and Coola were monitored by Grouse Mountain staff via an infrared camera placed in their den and the live feed was shared with the public online.
“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,” noted Macquisten.
Both bears originally came to Grouse Mountain’s Refuge for Endangered Wildfire in 2001 when they were rescued after being orphaned in separate incidents.
Grinder was found wandering alone on a logging road in Invermere, dehydrated, thin, weak and weighing just 4.5 kilograms.
His mother was never found, so it will likely never be known why the outgoing and high-spirited bear was alone.
“He has established himself as the dominant bear despite his smaller size,” explains the Grouse website. “If you see Grinder and Coola play fighting, you can bet he started it.”
After his mother was killed by a truck, Coola was found on a highway near Bella Coola and was the only one of three cubs to survive.
“Coola is an easygoing bear who’s content to let Grinder take the lead in new discoveries,” the website notes.
“He can usually be found submerged up to his neck in the large pond, carefully feeling around for his underwater 'bath toys' - a log, large bone and favourite rock.”
Here are a few more adorable photos of Bella and Coola’s first day awake in 2022:
