#26 Postcard Trivia 8.21.18
Postcard from the collection of J Garner. Photo Credit: Jennifer Iverson
Greetings from Boo the Bear! Boo roams 20 acres in a natural mountain habitat provided especially for him at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada. I picked up this postcard at Boo's home on a recent trip. Summer visitors can catch a peek at Boo from a walking path around the refuge or from a gondola ride over his home. His habitat is located directly under the gondola that carries skiers to the top of the mountain. From the time of his rescue as an orphaned cub until now, 15 years later, he has been given protection and limited food supplements in the refuge. But for the most part, he's living off the land the same as any ordinary grizzly - and providing scientists with valuable information about grizzly bear behavior. When Boo managed to escape from the refuge, he was followed by helicopter and was observed as much as possible until he returned on his own, days later. Refuge rangers were happy to learn from their observations that he was quite capable of surviving on his own, although he lost over 100 pounds. Boo's decision to return suggests that he is content at the refuge. With a variety of ponds, forests, waterfalls and wildlife, what more could he want? It's his very own Bear Resort!
What valuable information have scientists learned from studying hibernating bears?
a. how to eat 20,000 calories in one day b. how to get a good night's sleep c. possible ways to prevent osteoporosis
See answer below.
Answer to trivia question:
c. Possible ways to prevent osteoporosis. Hibernation does not weaken bears' bones even though they go long periods without weight-bearing activity. Discovering their secret could help humans prevent osteoporosis.
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