Grouse Mountain holds celebration of life for Grinder, beloved grizzly of 25 years

Grouse Mountain will hold a public celebration of life for Grinder this Saturday, Sept. 12, at the resort's Grizzly Bear Habitat in North Vancouver. Grinder, who spent 25 years at the wildlife refuge, died earlier this summer after developing a spinal condition that left him unable to use his hind legs. Veterinarians determined the condition could not be fixed and euthanized the bear to prevent further suffering.

The event begins at noon with wildlife staff and caregivers sharing stories and answering questions at the Grizzly Lookout. A ceremony follows at 12:30 p.m. featuring talks from Grinder's caregivers and the Grizzly Bear Foundation, along with a drumming and singing tribute by William Nahanee, a member of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Visitors can view memorial photographs and learn about grizzly bear conservation from the foundation's table from noon to 3 p.m. A memorial message wall inside the Bear Yurt will allow people to leave messages and memories, while flowers, drawings, plush toys and other items can be left at the habitat as a memorial display.

Grinder arrived at Grouse Mountain in 2001 as an orphaned cub, found by forestry workers near Invermere, dehydrated and stumbling along a logging road. His companion Coola, orphaned after his mother was struck by a truck near Bella Coola, arrived around the same time. At a time when no B.C. program existed for returning orphaned grizzly cubs to the wild, Grouse Mountain veterinarian and wildlife refuge director Ken Macquisten proposed creating a refuge to save the bears from likely death.

The two bears spent almost all of their lives together in the five-acre habitat designed to resemble a grizzly's natural surroundings—an unusual arrangement, since male grizzlies in the wild are generally solitary and territorial. Grinder was the leader; Coola the follower. In his final moments, Grinder was with Coola. "They're very sentient beings," Macquisten said. "Watching the bears over the years showed staff that grizzlies are individuals with distinct personalities."

Macquisten said he hoped the public seeing the bears helped build awareness about grizzlies and the need for their conservation. As part of the celebration, Grouse Mountain will make a donation to the Grizzly Bear Foundation on Grinder's behalf.