Grinder and Coola Emerge From Hibernation
Posted by Devin Manky May 1, 2017
On Friday April 28th, 2017 Grinder and Coola, our two resident Grizzly Bears, emerged from a five-month long hibernation period started on November 28th, 2016. These 152 days make the 2016/2017 hibernation the second longest ever and only one day short of tying their record from 2010/2011.
Both bears had shown signs of stirring in the weeks leading up to their emerging. Once we see this activity we then prepare their outdoor hibernation area by removing the copious amounts of snow and setting up their fenceline. Once the outdoor area is ready we make observations on the bears and determine that they are fully awake and ready to come outside!
The day they emerge is always exciting because the bears love the fresh snow and proceed to romp around, playing and wrestling in it like two kids on a snow-day from school! The bears are also out of shape, however, having spent the last months sleeping, and after a long play session usually go right back to napping.
You can now visit Grinder and Coola and watch them play in the snow in their hibernation habitat as we prepare their 5.5 acre summer habitat - just follow the directional signs in front of the main Grouse Mountain chalet.
We hope to see you up here!
