Spring is officially here, because Grinder and Coola have woken up from their hibernation.
The grizzly bears, who call the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife in BC home, hibernated for 149 days this year. They entered their den on November 20th, 2024 last fall.
The pair emerged from their cozy winter den over the long weekend, “groggy but healthy”, signalling the seasonal shift.
According to the refuge, hibernation allows bears to endure the harsh winter season, when food is scarce. When Grinder, the more dominant of the two bears, entered hibernation he was 960 lbs. When he emerged from the den he had slimmed down to 768 lbs.
Now that the bears are up and enjoying the spring weather, visitors can come to the refuge in North Vancouver and see them up close.
“You might just catch Grinder and Coola shaking off the last of their winter slumber, stretching out under the warming sun, and reacquainting themselves with the outside world around them,” said the animal refuge.
