Bears Continue to Hibernate

Even though temperatures have risen slightly in the last couple of weeks, Grinder and Coola continue their hibernation and can be viewed spending most of the day in their sleeping den.

The boys are still active from time to time and can be seen stretching, grooming or going for a bit of a wander every once in a while. This movement keeps their bones and muscles strong during the winter dormancy period. The fact that bears get up and roam around during this period indicates that they are not true hibernators (in which body temperatures drastically decrease and an animal is torpid) and rather enter a period of dormancy with periods of minimal activity.

You can watch Grinder and Coola live on our hibernation video feed found at http://www.grousemountain.com/Winter/wildlife-education/refuge/grizzly-bear-live-camera.asp .

Bears Get Ready to Hibernate

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.

Summer Fades into Fall

Hello everyone! This summer has flown by and we're now getting the bears and their habitat ready for winter.

Grinder and Coola have begun to fatten up and enter their 'hyperphagia' stage where all they want to do is eat! Over the next month they will put on weight and increase their fat stores in order to make it through the winter.

They will also begin their bed making process and making their den for their long winter naps.

I'm also pleased to announce that our bear cameras are now live and showing a view of our upper pond habitat. Watch for the bears day or night on this infrared camera! You can view it here: http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/wildlife-education/refuge/grizzly-bear-live-camera.asp .

Once the bears enter their den for the winter, we will switch the camera to the interior view.

Enjoy!