Over the last week we've received our first couple feet of snow for the 2009/2010 winter season. It's beginning to look and feel a lot like winter up here!Grinder and Coola have now moved into their Hibernation Habitat - the last stage before their winter sleep - and we have taken down and packed up the fenceline of their regular habitats. Both bears have fattened up considerably and are now starting to ignore their food - a sure sign that they are ready for hibernation. The simple action of walking across their hibernation yard is a tiring endeavor for them these days.
Despite being sleepy, however, both bears still love the snow and are often seen rolling and playing in the fresh powder. They even tried to build a snow cave/tunnel - which doesn't work too well with only 2 feet of snow!
Over the next week we will begin tapering off their food supply and as this dwindles the bears will look to form their fecal plug by eating the bark off some of the trees. This is the last stage before full hibernation begins.
You can follow Grinder and Coola on our Live Gizzly Bear Camera found on http://www.grousemountain.com . We will switch it to show inside their den once hibernation begins, but for now you can see their hibernation habitat.
