Grinder, beloved grizzly bear at Grouse Mountain, dies

Grinder, one of two grizzly bears who were a major attraction at Grouse Mountain, has died. The bear, adopted as an orphaned cub in 2001, experienced a sudden loss of mobility.

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Grinder experienced a rapid decline in mobility and a veterinary examination revealed a spinal condition that paralyzed his hind legs, leaving no realistic path to recovery or quality of life.

A veterinary examination revealed a spinal condition that paralyzed Grinder's hind legs. With no realistic path to recovery or quality of life, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the bear. Grinder had reached an age beyond the average life expectancy for a male grizzly in the wild.

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It says the decision was made to provide a humane passing for the bear which reached an age beyond the average life expectancy of a male grizzly in the wild.

Grinder had lived in an enclosure at the Grouse Mountain ski resort since 2001, sharing the space with Coola, another orphaned bear who arrived around the same time. The two bears hibernated together each winter and emerged in the spring. Veterinarian Ken Macquisten, director of the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge, described Grinder as a "goofball" and the leader of the pair, expressing deep sadness at his passing after 25 years of care.

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it’s heartbreaking to say goodbye to Grinder, who had always been a “goofball” and the leader of the two bears.