The spirit bear (also known as the kermode bear) is a rare white phase of the black bear. And in the Great Bear Rain Forest in British Columbia, Canada, the spirit of the bear is found in a high concentration, unique in the world.
Here are some great things about this creamy white animal that is getting our attention now, but has been fishing for salmon in the inky green rainforest for thousands of years!
one. Spirit bears are not albinos! Albinos lack pigmentation, but spirit bears do have pigmentation: their eyes are dark, and when you look at 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 its 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’s 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 puppy? Yes. And vice versa.
5. Which is the advantage of being a white bear? Scientists have an idea. All bears in the Great Bear Rainforest rely heavily on salmon. It provides about 80% of your annual protein. Scientists think that spirit bears found above rivers fishing are more “hidden” than black bears. Why? Because for the salmon, who seek danger, the spirit of the bear is light as the sky. Whereas a black bear would loom dark and menacing 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 discover that? If you’re thinking it must have involved scientists in bear suits… you’re right! As silly as it sounds, it was actually done very scientifically. One of the key researchers on this is Dr. Tom Reimchen of the University of Victoria. You can learn more about him on his website.
7. The spirit bear lives on the islands of the Great Bear Rain Forest. These islands are covered in cedar, hemlock, and fir trees and are crisscrossed by streams and creeks where bears fish in the fall. We believe they are rarely seen on the mainland and are found mostly on islands because grizzly bears (brown bears) frequent mainland fishing areas, and grizzly bears always dominate. So the brown bears 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’s from a man named Francis Kermode, an employee of the British Columbia provincial museum, who helped scientists obtain skins from the animal to study. Spirit bear is a name of the First Nations of the area, who have lived with these animals since they have both been on the coast, and hold them in high esteem. 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 make sure your salmon supply and 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 by boat through BC’s Great Bear Rainforest. In fact, several responsible tourism companies, including one owned by my family, have offered spirit bear trips for over 20 years! Taking such a trip helps protect bears by providing an economy based on conservation (observing the animals responsibly).
A white bear is a big surprise in the dark world of the rain forest. Now you have an idea of why it might be there and the fascinating questions it makes us ask.