Grouse Mountain grizzly bears emerge from winter hibernation

On of the sure signs spring has come to the North Shore mountains, and the ski and snowboarding season is nearingits end, is the emergence of Grouse Mountain's grizzly bearsfrom their hibernation.

Grinder andCoola have been living in a special habitat on Grouse Mountainsince 2001 after the animals were orphaned during separate incidents in Bella Coola and Invermere.

This was their 15th successful hibernation at the resort and the two bears also marked their 15th birthdays during their dormant period.

During the 146-day hibernation staff monitored Grinder and Coolawith aninfrared camera placed in their den. A live feed of the images was made public on Grouse Mountain's website.

"It's wonderful to witness Grinder and Coola excitedly emerge from their 15th hibernation period,"said Dr. Ken Macquisten, refuge director and veterinarian in a statement from the resort.