Canada: Warm weather brings groggy grizzly bears out of hibernation [Photos]

The grizzly bears at Canada's Grouse Mountain have woken up from hibernation at the record earliest time because of the warm weather.

The team at the Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife decided to open the den door for Grinder and Coola at the start of March after the warm weather had seen the bears stirring from their slumber.

A statement from 6 March said: The groggy bears emerged and checked out their outdoor hibernation yard, munched on a little bit of green grass, and then returned to sleep back inside the den.

"Grinder and Coola will slowly wake up more now over the next couple weeks as their 2015 winter dormancy comes to an end! If you are up on the mountain be sure to stop by and see if they happen to be out and about!"

However, six weeks later, the bears fully emerged after 139 days asleep. The two males – both aged 13 – weighed about 450kg (992lbs).

Ken Macquisten, refuge director and veterinarian, said: "We continue to be amazed that ... two male grizzlies choose to share their den together and can sleep so long without seeking nourishment."

The bears were introduced to Grouse Mountain in 2001 after being orphaned.

Photos of them emerging were released by the sanctuary: