Orphaned Grizzly Bear

A living reminder for people to slow down when driving though the wilderness. This is a shot from spring of an orphaned North American Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) who had recently woken up from winter hibernation at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife in North Vancouver. Sadly cubs are often left behind when their mothers are hit by cars or trucks. Orphaned cubs that are human socialised though the rescue process are difficult to reintroduce to the wild, often spending their entire life in reserves such as this one if they are lucky enough not to be put down. Massive in stature, the largest Grizzlies have been known to weigh up to 680 kg (1,500 lb), standing up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall on their hind legs , or 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) at the shoulder when on all four legs. British Columbia, Canada