From Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Website: http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/winter/

(Comment by Barbara Murray in blue)

Cari has passed away

It is with great sadness that we inform you Cari, one of the two 2-year old orphan grizzly bear cubs residing at Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge has passed away.

On April 17th,2004 Cari’s brother Boo, who shared the den with Cari, emerged from hibernation into the 22-acre natural habitat on Kicking Horse Mountain. Boo appeared very fit, well nourished, and relaxed. Sadly, Cari did not emerge and was discovered within the hibernation den by Wildlife Refuge staff.

Cari was lying on his chest within the den and appeared to be in excellent body condition. There were no signs present that could explain the cause of death of this wonderful bear. Cari had no marks on his body and he still had ample amounts of stored fat.

Cari’s body has been sent to the provincial veterinary laboratory in Abbotsford, B.C. for a complete autopsy to assist us in understanding why he died. We expect to receive full autopsy results within the next couple of weeks.

That autopsy report needs to be seen by unbiased experts and the full report of the hibernation conditions needs to be done.

To those of you who have watched Cari grow and enjoy life on the mountains of Golden, we offer our deepest heartfelt sympathy and share in the sadness of his loss. Cari has taught us a great deal about caring for the needs of orphan cubs and will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Wonder if Grouse will now write a similar tribute to the alpha grey wolf –wonder what his name was? Grouse had him for almost a year before putting him together 6 days before his death with the Grizzlies, Grinder and Coola. Maybe wolves are not as great an investment?