Grinder and coola celebrate their 23rd bearthday and raise money for bear research efforts

Posted by Devin Manky August 14, 2024

summer celebrations

Grinder and Coola, our two resident Grizzly Bears, celebrated their 23rd "bearth-day" in July and had a pretty tasty cake!

Both bears were actually born in the winter of 2000/2001 as young bears are born in the winter den for protection and easy nursing, however this does not work well for birthday celebrations since they are extremely sleepy at that time of year!

So instead we celebrate their birthday each July to mark a high-point of our Wildlife Summer. We collaborate with the Grizzly Bear Foundation and our First Nation's Elders to provide a day of love for everything Grizzly Bear.

Cake smash

Our cake was made by our team of Wildlife Rangers and was full of tasty bear treats.

Each layer was frozen with water and various fruit juices and had imbedded watermelon, strawberries and blueberries.

In two of the layers we included a special bearthday surprise of two whole salmon - one for each bear. We were sure to include these on separate pieces so each bear could claim it as their own. Surrounding the cake was also a bunch of veterinarian approved whip cream ;).

To top off the cake we had a half watermelon with 23 bearthday candles ! No flames for these boys to blow out though since we're under fire restrictions!

funds for a cause

Thanks to everyone who visited (partial proceeds from ticket sales for the day were donated to the Grizzly Bear Foundation), purchased items from the Grizzly Bear Foundations tent and partook in the events we raised over $15,000 for the Grizzly Bear Foundation's Project Rewild.

Project Rewild is an innovative and world-leading research program providing the science and best practices needed to inform and enhance Grizzly Bear rewilding efforts in British Columbia and beyond.

We are happy to support this important project!