The spirit bear (also known as the kermode bear) is a rare white phase of the black bear. And in the Great Bear Rainforest, in British Columbia, Canada, the spirit bear is found in high concentration, unique in the world.
Here are some cool things about this creamy white animal that is catching our attention now, but has been catching salmon in the ink-green jungle for thousands of years!
1. Spirit bears are not albinos! Albinos lack pigmentation, but spirit bears have pigmentation – their eyes are dark and when you see one, you see that the skin on the pads of their feet is also dark.
two. Is genetic. Why are spirit bears white? It is due to a single recessive nullceotide replacement in one of your genes. Think of it like blue eyes in humans, but extremely rare. To be white, a puppy must receive the same recessive information in that gene from both parents.
3. There is more than meets the eye. Even black bears in white bear territory carry the white gene, just as brown-eyed people can carry the blue-eyed gene in humans. And they can pass it on to their offspring. In fact, more than half of the black bears in some parts of this rainforest have the genetic makeup of the spirit bear.
Four. So a black mama can have a white cub? Yes. And vice versa.
5. Which is the advantage of being a white bear? Scientists have an idea. All of the bears in the Great Bear Rainforest rely heavily on salmon. It contributes around 80% of your annual protein. Scientists believe that spirit bears that fish on rivers are more “hidden” than black bears. Why? Because to the salmon, who seek danger, the spirit bear is light as the sky. Whereas a black bear would appear dark and foreshadowed against a clear sky. Studies have shown that during the day, spirit bears are more successful at catching salmon than black bears.
6. How did they find out about that? If you’re thinking that he must have involved scientists in bear suits … you’re right! As ridiculous as it may sound, it was actually done very scientifically. One of the key researchers on this is Dr. Tom Reimchen from the University of Victoria. You can learn more about him at your website.
7. The spirit bear lives in the islands of the Great Bear Rainforest. These islands are covered in cedar, hemlock, and fir trees and crossed by streams and creeks where bears fish in the fall. We think they are rarely seen on the mainland and are mostly found on islands because brown bears (grizzly bears) frequent the mainland’s fishing grounds and brown bears always dominate. So the grizzlies would keep the white bears on the islands.
8. What does kermode mean, anyway?? Kermode is part of the scientific name for this animal, the part that denotes this “phase” of the black bear. It is from a man named Francis Kermode, an employee of the British Columbia provincial museum, who helped scientists obtain the animal’s skins to study. Spirit bear is a name for the First Nations of the area, who have lived with these animals since they have both been to the coast and hold them in high regard. There is even a story that they were created to remind people of the ice age.
9. Are spirit bears protected? Well, interesting question. Yes, but not quite. We need to ensure that your salmon supply and your rainforest ecosystem are protected. But beyond that, it is illegal to hunt a white bear in British Columbia. But black bears that carry the white gene and can create spirit cubs can be shot. The Raincoast Conservation Foundation is working to achieve this by purchasing commercial trophy hunting licenses in the area. For more information, visit their website: www.raincoast.org.
10. How can I see a spirit bear? Your best option is to travel through the Great Bear Rainforest in BC by boat. In fact, several responsible tourism companies, including one owned by my family, have offered spirit bear watching trips For more than 20 years! Taking such a trip helps protect bears by providing an economy based on conservation (watch animals responsibly).
A white bear is a great surprise in the dark world of the rainforest. Now you have an idea of why it might be there and the fascinating questions it makes us ask.