Grinder and coola enter their upper pond habitat
Posted by Devin Manky May 21, 2021
Bear habitat expanded
Today marks the entrance of Grinder and Coola, our two resident Grizzly Bears, into their 2.5 acre Upper Pond Habitat for the first time in 2021.
Both bears emerged from hibernation this year on April 29th and have spent the last three weeks in their Hibernation Habitat as we prepared part of their larger space.
Both bears emerged from hibernation this year on April 29th and have spent the last three weeks in their Hibernation Habitat as we prepared part of their larger space.
Each year we have to take down the bear fence for the winter as the extreme amounts of snow we receive would damage or destroy it if left up while Grinder and Coola hibernate. This means in the springtime we have to excavate the snow and re-setup the fence. Having the smaller hibernation area allows Grinder and Coola to get out and stretch their legs while we work on their getting their full 5.5 acre habitat ready.
As their Upper habitat is now ready and the bears are currently exploring it, the next stage is preparing their 2.5 acre Lower Pond Habitat which should be ready in a few weeks.
First swims of the year
One of Grinder and Coola's favourite activities to do once their large Upper Pond portion of their habitat opens for the year is to go for a much needed swim!
Grizzly Bears love the water and are excellent swimmers. After spending 5 months inside their den hibernating the bears are ready to dunk in the water and wash off the dust.
They also search through the pond to see if any of their favourite rocks or sticks are still around from last year or if some frogs have laid some tasty eggs already.
Coola especially, being a coastal Grizzly Bear is often found in one of their three large ponds.
Grizzly Bears love the water and are excellent swimmers. After spending 5 months inside their den hibernating the bears are ready to dunk in the water and wash off the dust.
They also search through the pond to see if any of their favourite rocks or sticks are still around from last year or if some frogs have laid some tasty eggs already.
Coola especially, being a coastal Grizzly Bear is often found in one of their three large ponds.
Ranger talks and bear cams
Under current health restrictions relating to Covid-19 we can only host our very local visitors right now. But if you do live close to the mountain we are open and you can visit Grinder and Coola daily in their habitat from 9am to 9pm. We will be hosting Ranger Talks at 10am, 12:15pm, 2:30pm and 4pm every day and these talks will tell you more about Grinder and Coola's story as well as Grizzly Bears in the wild.
If you are from elsewhere and cannot visit at this time we encourage you to check out our bear webcams which will give you several viewpoints into the bear habitats so you can keep up with all the action that Grinder and Coola get upto.
If you are from elsewhere and cannot visit at this time we encourage you to check out our bear webcams which will give you several viewpoints into the bear habitats so you can keep up with all the action that Grinder and Coola get upto.
