Episode: "Grizzly"
Location: Washington State University
Veterinarian: Dr. Lynne Nelson

Of the eight species of bears that exist worldwide, six are threatened or endangered. In the United States, grizzly bears outside of Alaska have been eliminated from 99 percent of their range and their numbers reduced from 100,000 to fewer than 1,000.

As a result of these devastating facts, the bear program at Washington State University (WSU) was created. In 1986, the WSU Bear Research, Education and Conservation Center was established to provide information and understanding necessary to conserve bears around the world.

Because of the need to weigh bears regularly, draw blood samples and provide special diets, not all research can be done in the wild. Research with captive bears permits a more in-depth understanding of bear biology.

In 2003, the bear program had the opportunity to hand raise two female grizzly bear cubs. A new approach was adopted by the WSU bear facility with these permanent residents.

Luna and Mica were purposefully habituated to people and interact with humans daily. They are now participating in research designed to understand bear hibernation biology.

Under the strict guidance of Dr. Lynne Nelson, Luna and Mica have heart ultrasound exams performed monthly during the summer months and two times during hibernation, giving the research team valuable grizzly bear physiological information.

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