One of Canada’s best known captive grizzly bears has died after spending 25 years serving as an ambassador for wildlife conservation.
Grouse Mountain, the popular ski resort overlooking Vancouver, British Columbia, announced on July 31st that its longtime resident grizzly bear Grinder was humanely euthanized after veterinarians determined he was suffering from an irreversible spinal condition that had permanently paralyzed his hind limbs.
Beloved Grizzly Bear Dies At Age 25
Grinder experienced a rapid decline in mobility in recent weeks. A comprehensive veterinary examination revealed a spinal condition that left him with no realistic chance of recovery or return to an acceptable quality of life.
The resort said the difficult decision was made to provide Grinder with a peaceful passing in the habitat where he had lived since arriving as a cub more than two decades ago. Members of the wildlife care team who had cared for him throughout his life were by his side.
“Saying goodbye to Grinder is heartbreaking for all of us, and it is a decision that was made with the utmost care and consideration for the grizzly bear millions of people have come to know and love. It has been a privilege for our team to care for Grinder over the past 25 years, and while we will miss him deeply, we take comfort in knowing his legacy will live on through his impact as an ambassador for wildlife conservation.” – Dr. Ken Macquisten, Director and Veterinarian at the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge.
An Ambassador For Wildlife Conservation
Grinder arrived at Grouse Mountain in 2001 after being found orphaned near Invermere in British Columbia. Because he could not be returned to the wild, he made his home at the mountain’s wildlife refuge alongside another rescued grizzly named Coola.
Over the next 25 years, Grinder became one of the most recognizable animals at any ski resort in North America. Millions of visitors from around the world saw the rescued grizzly during trips to the Vancouver destination, where he helped educate guests about grizzly bears and the importance of wildlife conservation. Grouse Mountain noted that Grinder lived beyond the average life expectancy for male grizzly bears in the wild.
What Is Grouse Mountain
Located just outside downtown Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is one of Canada’s best known four season mountain destinations. While it is widely recognized for skiing and snowboarding during the winter, the resort also operates the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge, which provides a permanent home for animals that cannot survive in the wild. Grinder and Coola have long been among its most popular attractions.
Coola remains healthy and continues to be cared for by the resort’s wildlife team. Following Grinder’s passing, staff allowed the surviving grizzly supervised access to his longtime companion before he was removed from the habitat, a practice commonly used at accredited zoological facilities to help animals recognize the loss of a companion.