Happy Birthday Grinder and Coola!
Bears Turn Twelve Years Old!
Posted by Devin Manky January 29, 2013
In 2001, sometime in January or possible early February, Grinder and Coola were born in the British Columbia Wilderness. Grinder was born somewhere outside of the town of Invermere and Coola was born up near Bella Coola.
When they were born they only weighed in at around one pound! Like most newborn Grizzly Bears, Grinder and Coola had no fur and their eyes were not even open. They spent their first few months of life inside the winter den with their mothers, nursing and growing. Finally, when it came time to leave the den in the late spring they were large enough to follow mom around and start to learn about the environment around them. Unfortunately, it was around this time that they both lost their mothers and ended up orphaned. They then came to the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife.
Twelve years later, in 2013, Grinder and Coola continue their 2012/2013 hibernation period and are doing well inside the den. They are often seen rolling over, stretching or remaking their branch bed. A couple more months and they will looking forward to getting back outside. Until then, they will sleep - even through their birthdays!
Happy Twelfth Birthday Grinder and Coola!
