Refuge for Endangered Wildlife: Ranger's Journal

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Excavations begin on Bear Habitat!


Hello everyone - it has been a long winter filled with incredible snow fall and amazing ski conditions. Now, however, the days are getting longer and warmer and that means Grinder and Coola are begining to wake-up from their period of winter dormancy. Both bears have been seen leaving their sleeping chamber more often to explore the outer building, have a look outside, or roll around in the snow that has blown into their bear den.


Seeing this, we have begun our excavations of the bear's hibernation habitat adjacent to the bear den. This process will take up to two weeks and then we will put the fence up and allow the bears to official end their hibernation. For now we will continue to work at preparing their home and monitoring their behaviors.


More updates to follow but here are a couple pictures of the incredible snow base we have to clear from around the bear den!