Grinder, one of two grizzly bears at Grouse Mountain, dies

Grinder, a grizzly bear long known to visitors and locals at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, has died. According to Grouse Mountain, Grinder was adopted as a cub after becoming orphaned and lived for years in an enclosure with Coola, another orphaned bear that arrived around the same time in 2001. The two bears spent winters hibernating together and reappearing in spring. The mountain said Grinder’s health declined quickly after a veterinary exam found a spinal condition that left him paralyzed in the hind legs. Officials said there was no realistic chance of recovery, and the decision was made to euthanize him humanely. Veterinarian Ken Macquisten said the team had cared for Grinder for 25 years and would miss him deeply.