The Grouse Mountain Bears: Grinder and Coola

Greetings Everyone!

Sorry, it’s been a few weeks since my last post. The reason for this is that my husband and I traveled north to Canada! We drove up to Port Angeles, Washington, took the ferry to Victoria, B.C., spent a few days there and then took another ferry over to Vancouver, B.C. We loved British Columbia! It was beautiful! Especially this time of year with the fall colors. We did as much sightseeing as we could fit in. Starting with the Butchart Gardens in Victoria to an NHL hockey game on our last night in Vancouver. Surrounded by mountains and water, Vancouver is stunning, and if that isn’t enough, the people were delightful and friendly! If you would like to see more pictures and details of the trip, check out my facebook page @Kacie Bowers.

I could go into great detail about our trip, and maybe I will on another post. But since this is a pet blog, I will stick to the two huge furry animals we had the privilege of meeting!

Grinder and Coola!

On one of our Vancouver days, we drove outside the city and explored the area. We started at the Suspension Bridge Park and then headed to the popular Grouse Mountain where we took the gondola up to the top.

The views of the city up there are amazing. Thankfully it was a gorgeous sunny fall day and being October, the crowds were minimal. We walked around the mountain and took in the scenery. After a little while though, we made our way to the grizzly bear habitat to see two rescued grizzly bears that have been living on Grouse Mountain since 2001.

Grinder

Grinder was discovered in Invermere, B.C. along a logging road. The poor cub was wandering around dehydrated and thin. He was rescued and brought to the wildlife refuge on Grouse Mountain. Unfortunately, his mother was never found, but most likely, she had died since her cub was wandering alone and hungry. Grinder is an active playful bear and he has established himself as the dominant one over Coola. According to the ranger, if you catch Grinder and Coola play fighting, then you can be sure that Grinder started it!!

Coola

Coola was found in 2001 along a highway in  Bella Coola, B.C. His mother was killed by a truck and of the three cubs, Coola was the only survivor. The ranger said Coola is the easy-going bear. He just wants to sleep and eat. He’s happy to let Grinder take the lead. His favorite hang out is the large pond where he searches for logs and plays with his bath toys which include a large bone and a favorite rock!

Grinder and Coola looked massive when we saw them!

It’s almost time for these big boys to go into hibernation, so they were fat and full– ready for the winter. Their personalities are very accurate to their descriptions. Grinder came up to the fence to show off for all the cameras. While Coola was found lounging in the sun and didn’t move a muscle for any of us. I don’t blame you Coola!!

At one point, Grinder was standing on a metal plank/door thing on the ground ( I have no idea what it was) and his claw got stuck. The poor thing was rocking back and forth trying to free his claw. He eventually did, but we all felt bad for the big guy. The ranger jokingly said, “I’d like to see who was going to try to go in and help him.” Haha very funny! As bad as I felt, I wasn’t coming to Grinder’s rescue…sorry buddy!

They were so cool and so adorable and sooo massive! If they weren’t predators I’d throw my arms around those big furry cuddly bodies. But to run into them in the wild would be terrifying!!

I’m grateful for Grouse Mountain and its wildlife preservation program. Because of their sanctuary, these beautiful bears can live in safety and peace. And travelers from around the world can watch and learn from these massive grizzly bears.

So to Grinder and Coola, sleep well this winter… and sweet dreams boys!