Hibernation over for grizzly bears at Saskatoon Forestry Farm

It's perhaps the furriest sign that spring is on its way.

The grizzly bears at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo woke up from their winter hibernation Friday.

It was the first time Mistaya and Koda had hibernated, which began on Dec. 4, 2016.

• Saskatoon Forestry Farm lets grizzly bears enjoy winter slumber

"We monitored the bears throughout their first hibernation, gathering data that can be used in future research projects," said Tim Sinclair-Smith, manager of the forestry farm.

According to a release from the City of Saskatoon, the bears lost some weight as they hibernated. However, because they hadn't hibernated for 10 years, they had fat reserves left.

They've been given small amounts of vegetables the same food the bears would find had they been hibernated in the wild.

Now that the bears are awake, they will return to their exhibit this weekend.