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Spirit bear

The spirit bear, scientifically known as Ursus americanus kermodei or Kermode bear, is a subspecies of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) native to the coastal regions of British Columbia, Canada.^[1]^[2] This bear is distinguished by a rare white or cream-colored coat in some individuals, resulting from a recessive genetic mutation—a single nucleotide replacement in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene—that inhibits eumelanin production in the fur without causing albinism, as evidenced by their pigmented skin, eyes, and claws.^[3]^[4] Unlike polar bears, spirit bears are not adapted to Arctic environments but thrive in temperate rainforests, where the white phase occurs in approximately 10-30% of the population on specific islands due to genetic isolation and higher frequency of the allele.^[5]^[6] Primarily inhabiting the Great Bear Rainforest, a vast 6.4 million hectare coastal ecosystem, spirit bears rely on salmon runs, berries, and other forest resources for sustenance, with studies indicating that their white fur may confer a foraging advantage by reducing visibility to fish in shaded streams.^[2]^[7] The subspecies population is estimated at 400 to 1,200 individuals, with white-phase bears numbering fewer than 400, concentrated on islands such as Princess Royal, Gribbell, and Roderick, where interbreeding with black-phase conspecifics maintains genetic diversity but limits the spread of the white trait.^[6]^[8] Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection amid threats from logging and climate impacts on salmon, underscoring the bear's role as an indicator species for rainforest health.^[9]

Taxonomy and Genetics

Subspecies Classification

The spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear, is classified as the subspecies Ursus americanus kermodei within the American black bear species (Ursus americanus), a member of the family Ursidae. This trinomial designation honors Francis Kermode, a Canadian museum director who documented white-coated black bears in British Columbia in the early 1900s, with the formal description attributed to American naturalist William Temple Hornaday in 1905.^[6]^[10] The subspecies is endemic to the central and northern coastal regions of British Columbia, encompassing islands such as Princess Royal and Gribbell, where it inhabits old-growth temperate rainforests.^[11] Taxonomic recognition of U. a. kermodei emphasizes its geographic isolation and the prevalence of a white pelage variant, which occurs in approximately 10-30% of individuals in core populations due to a recessive mutation, though black-coated bears predominate.^[12] Genetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA control regions support its affiliation with a broader coastal or western black bear clade that predates the Last Glacial Maximum (around 20,000 years ago), indicating historical divergence from mainland populations but limited overall genetic differentiation beyond the coloration locus.^[13] This lineage distinction, combined with subtle cranial and skeletal variations noted in early descriptions, underpins its subspecies status in classifications by organizations such as NatureServe and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which treat it as a valid taxon warranting conservation attention.^[11] Debates on subspecies validity persist among taxonomists, as American black bear subspecies boundaries (totaling 16-20 proposed forms) often rely on minor morphological traits and regional endemism rather than deep genetic splits, with some arguing U. a. kermodei represents a color polymorphism within a continuum of coastal U. americanus rather than a discrete entity.^[14] Nonetheless, peer-reviewed studies affirm moderate population structuring and low gene flow with adjacent black bear groups, reinforcing its practical delineation for ecological and management purposes, including legal protections under British Columbia's wildlife acts prohibiting hunting of white individuals since 1995.^[13]^[6]

Genetic Mechanism of White Coloration

The white coloration in spirit bears, a subspecies of the American black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), arises from a recessive mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (mc1r), which encodes a G protein-coupled receptor critical for eumelanin production in melanocytes. This mutation consists of a single nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution (A893G), replacing tyrosine with cysteine at codon 298, thereby impairing the receptor's ability to respond to melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and blocking eumelanin synthesis specifically in hair follicles.^[3] ^[4] As a result, homozygous individuals (mc1r^w/mc1r^w) produce white fur lacking dark pigment, while retaining normal pheomelanin levels and pigmentation in skin, eyes, and claws—a form of localized leucism rather than albinism.^[3] ^[15] The recessive nature of the mc1r^w allele means that only bears inheriting two copies express the white phenotype; heterozygotes (mc1r^+/mc1r^w) exhibit typical black fur but serve as carriers, facilitating allele transmission through populations.^[4] This genetic basis was elucidated through DNA sequencing of captive and wild Kermode bears from British Columbia, cross-referenced with pedigree data from known matings, which demonstrated Mendelian segregation consistent with a single-locus recessive trait.^[3] Functional assays in vitro confirmed the mutant receptor's reduced signaling capacity, linking the molecular change directly to diminished eumelanin output without affecting overall viability or other pigmentation pathways.00448-1) Subsequent population genetic studies have reinforced this mechanism, identifying the mc1r^w SNP as the sole causal variant in white-phased bears, with no evidence of additional modifiers or polygenic influences altering coat expression.^[15] The mutation's origin remains undated but predates modern human observation, as evidenced by its persistence in isolated coastal populations despite potential selective pressures from predation or camouflage needs in forested habitats.^[16]

Prevalence and Population Genetics

The white spirit bear phenotype, resulting from homozygosity for a recessive allele, exhibits spatially variable prevalence primarily within the central and northern coastal regions of British Columbia, Canada, encompassing the Great Bear Rainforest. Frequencies reach 10–20% on certain islands, such as Gribbell Island where up to 43% has been estimated in localized surveys, but drop to near zero on the adjacent mainland due to gene flow dilution.^[3] Overall, the total population of white spirit bears is estimated at 100–200 individuals, though recent systematic genetic sampling suggests landscape-level rarity exceeding prior assessments by up to 50%, with effective population sizes constrained by habitat fragmentation.^[3]^[16]^[17] Population genetic analyses of Ursus americanus kermodei reveal that the white allele (often denoted as w or G) frequency typically ranges from 0.05 to 0.3 across sampled loci, yielding homozygous white phenotypes in approximately 1 in 100 to 1 in 400 bears depending on local allele prevalence.^[18] Island populations, where the phenotype is most concentrated, display reduced heterozygosity and elevated F_ST values indicative of isolation-by-distance and drift, contrasting with higher gene flow and diversity on the mainland.^[13] Models incorporating drift, migration, and weak selection explain the polymorphism's persistence without strong evidence for positive assortative mating or heterozygote advantage, though localized bottlenecks amplify fixation risks.^[15]^[16] These dynamics underscore vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures, as interbreeding with non-Kermode black bears further dilutes the allele outside protected enclaves.^[19]

Physical Characteristics

Morphology and Coloration

The Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) possesses the standard morphology of coastal American black bears, characterized by a stocky build with a rounded head, short tail, and powerful limbs suited for arboreal climbing and terrestrial foraging. Adults typically measure 1.5 to 2 meters in body length from nose to tail, with shoulder heights ranging from 90 to 110 cm when standing on all fours. Males average 200 to 230 kg in weight, with extremes reaching up to 365 kg, while females are smaller, generally weighing 60 to 135 kg.^[6]^[7] Like other black bears, they feature long, curved non-retractable claws, a straight facial profile, and the absence of a prominent shoulder hump distinguishing them from grizzly bears.^[7] The pelage of Kermode bears is typically black, but a notable proportion exhibit a white or creamy white coloration, earning them the designation "spirit bears." This variant arises from a recessive autosomal allele, resulting in uniform white fur from the roots to the tips of the hairs across the body, though occasional brown patches may appear on the back or legs due to environmental staining or minor variations.^[20]^[1] Unlike albinos, white Kermode bears retain pigmentation in their skin, with brown eyes, dark nose pads, and claws that are pale but opaque rather than translucent.^[1] The white coat provides no significant morphological distinction beyond color and does not alter the bear's overall body structure or proportions compared to black-phased individuals of the subspecies.^[21]

Distinctions from Other Bears

The Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) possesses the standard morphology of the American black bear, featuring a straight facial profile, relatively large and rounded ears, a stocky build without a prominent shoulder hump, and short, curved non-retractable claws measuring 2–5 cm, adapted for climbing trees rather than extensive digging. Adults stand 0.6–1.0 m at the shoulder, with males reaching lengths of 1.2–1.8 m and weights up to 225 kg, while females are smaller, maxing at approximately 135 kg.^[22]^[23] The key physical distinction from typical black-phase conspecifics lies in the fur of white individuals, which results from a recessive mutation reducing eumelanin in guard hairs, yielding a creamy-white coat while preserving pigmentation in the skin, brown eyes, black nose pads, and claws (which appear nearly white but are structurally identical).^[1]^[20] Relative to brown bears (Ursus arctos), including grizzlies, Kermode bears are notably smaller and lack the muscular shoulder hump indicative of enhanced digging and foraging strength in brown bears, which can weigh 180–450 kg for males. Their muzzle is straighter and less concave than the dished profile of brown bears, and their claws are shorter and less robust (2–5 cm versus 5–10 cm), reflecting reduced emphasis on excavating roots or overturning rocks compared to the more herbivorous and opportunistic brown bear morphology.^[25]^[26]^[27] In comparison to polar bears (Ursus maritimus), Kermode bears exhibit a more compact, arboreal-adapted physique versus the elongated, streamlined body of polars optimized for swimming and terrestrial hunting on sea ice, with polar males attaining 400–800 kg and longer necks for seal predation. Polar bears feature larger, partially webbed paws for ice traction and propulsion in water, black skin beneath translucent hollow hairs that refract light to appear white, and more carnassial dentition; Kermode bears, conversely, retain the omnivorous dental structure and tree-climbing adaptations of black bears, with fur whiteness stemming from absent pigmentation rather than optical scattering.^[28]^[29]^[1]

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

The spirit bear, a white-coated variant of the Kermode subspecies (Ursus americanus kermodei), is endemic to the central and northern coastal regions of British Columbia, Canada.^[11] This range encompasses the Great Bear Rainforest, a vast temperate rainforest ecosystem covering approximately 6.4 million hectares along the Pacific coast from roughly Rivers Inlet in the south to Stewart in the north.^[2]^[30] The subspecies inhabits both coastal mainland areas and offshore islands, with the highest concentrations of white individuals occurring on Princess Royal Island, Gribbell Island, and Roderick Island, where the white morph frequency can exceed 20-30% due to localized genetic prevalence.^[1]^[23] Inland extensions reach toward Hazelton, though sightings diminish beyond the coastal fog belt that influences their habitat selection.^[23] No verified populations exist outside British Columbia, distinguishing this subspecies from broader American black bear distributions.^[20]

Environmental Preferences

Spirit bears primarily occupy coastal temperate rainforests in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia's central and northern coast, where annual precipitation exceeds 3,000 mm in many areas, supporting lush vegetation and large coniferous trees essential for cover and foraging.^[31] These bears select habitats characterized by old-growth stands of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), amabilis fir (Abies amabilis), and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), which provide dense understory for concealment and abundant berry-producing shrubs.^[32] Proximity to rivers and streams hosting anadromous salmon runs is critical, as these waterways supply high-calorie food during late summer and fall, influencing habitat selection patterns.^[33] For denning, spirit bears prefer sites in mature forests with large-diameter snags, hollow trees, rock outcrops, or caves, often in floodplains or wetlands that offer thermal insulation and protection from harsh coastal winters.^[34] They favor mesic, inaccessible terrain over xeric or open areas, avoiding high-elevation alpine zones and prioritizing low to mid-elevations below 1,000 meters where food resources remain accessible year-round.^[35] Habitat fragmentation from logging poses risks, as intact old-growth corridors facilitate movement and gene flow between subpopulations.^[32] Overall, their environmental niche aligns with black bear preferences but is narrowly confined to this hyper-maritime ecosystem, where mild temperatures and minimal snow accumulation reduce energy demands compared to inland populations.^[31]

Behavior and Ecology

Diet and Foraging

Spirit bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) maintain an omnivorous diet similar to that of other black bears, with plant matter comprising the majority—approximately 80%—of their annual intake, including berries, grasses, roots, nuts, and herbaceous vegetation such as skunk cabbage and sedge, particularly in spring and summer.^[36] Animal foods supplement this base, encompassing insects, small mammals, bird eggs, and carrion, though availability varies seasonally.^[37] In the coastal Great Bear Rainforest, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) represent a critical high-calorie resource during fall spawning runs, enabling hyperphagic foraging to build fat reserves for hibernation. Stable isotope analysis of hair and bone collagen from coastal populations reveals that white-phased spirit bears rely more heavily on salmon than black-phased individuals, exhibiting distinct isotopic signatures with elevated δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values indicative of greater marine-derived nutrient intake—up to 10-20% higher salmon contribution in some cohorts.^[37] ^[38] This niche partitioning suggests adaptive foraging specialization tied to phenotype, potentially enhancing survival through efficient exploitation of anadromous fish.^[37] Foraging for salmon occurs primarily in shallow streams and rivers, where bears employ ambush tactics such as standing motionless or wading to swipe fish with their paws, achieving peak efficiency when positioned upstream of spawning aggregations.^[39] The white coat provides a selective advantage in daylight conditions, rendering bears less conspicuous against glare on water surfaces; observational studies on salmon streams report white bears capturing salmon at rates 20-30% higher than black bears during the day, with success rates doubling in some trials using decoy models.^[40] ^[41] ^[42] Salmon evade black silhouettes more readily, supporting the hypothesis that leucism persists via crypsis-mediated foraging benefits despite pigmentation costs.^[43] Foraging success diminishes at night across phenotypes, shifting reliance to olfactory cues over visual detection.^[39] Many individuals display a right-paw bias in prey manipulation, facilitating precise strikes on live fish.^[44]

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Females reach sexual maturity at three to four years of age, with mating occurring primarily from June to August.^[6]^[45] Following mating, implantation is delayed until fall, resulting in a total gestation period of approximately 220 days or eight months.^[46]^[45] Cubs are born in the mother's winter den between January and February, typically numbering two to three per litter, though up to six is possible.^[46]^[47] Newborn cubs weigh around 300-450 grams and remain dependent on the mother for nursing.^[47] Weaning occurs at six to eight months, but cubs generally stay with the female through their second winter, achieving independence at about 17 months.^[6]^[48] Breeding frequency is typically every two years, influenced by food availability and cub survival, as females do not mate in years when raising young.^[47]^[49] Positive assortative mating is observed, where white Kermode bears preferentially pair with other white individuals, and black ones with black, potentially stabilizing the recessive white coloration gene in the population.^[50]

Interactions with Other Species

Spirit bears engage in predation primarily on spawning salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.), which constitutes a major dietary component during seasonal runs in coastal British Columbia streams, with individuals consuming up to 30 salmon per day to amass fat reserves for hibernation.^[20] This foraging transfers marine-derived nutrients into upland forests as bears cache and consume carcasses away from rivers, enhancing soil fertility and supporting plant growth and invertebrate populations that sustain myriad species.^[51] Their white pelage provides a foraging advantage over black-phased conspecifics, as it camouflages against the bright sky reflection on water surfaces, allowing closer approaches to fish and higher capture success rates documented in observational studies.^[5] Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) represent the principal interspecific competitor and occasional predator, exerting interference competition by displacing black bears—including Kermode morphs—from prime salmon streams through aggressive encounters and dominance displays.^[43] Such competition limits access to high-calorie resources, potentially reducing black bear biomass intake by up to 50% in overlap zones, as grizzlies prioritize larger, energy-rich prey.^[33] Cubs face heightened predation risk from grizzlies and wolves (Canis lupus), which target vulnerable juveniles separated from mothers, though overall adult mortality from conspecifics or sympatric carnivores remains low due to the bears' size and defensive capabilities.^[23] Beyond direct trophic links, spirit bears influence community structure as apex regulators, modulating prey behaviors such as salmon spawning timing and deer (Odocoileus hemionus) vigilance in shared habitats, though quantitative data on cascading effects specific to Kermode phenotypes is limited.^[52] They exhibit minimal kleptoparasitism or scavenging interactions with wolves, which primarily pursue ungulates in the Great Bear Rainforest, but overlap in herring (Clupea pallasii) spawn exploitation underscores broader carnivore guild dynamics.^[53] No verified instances exist of spirit bears preying on wolves or vice versa, reflecting niche partitioning in this coastal predator assemblage.^[30]

Cultural and Historical Significance

Indigenous Perspectives

To the Tsimshian-speaking First Nations of the Great Bear Rainforest, including the Kitasoo/Xai'xais and Gitga'at, the spirit bear—known in their language as moksgm'ol, meaning "white bear"—is regarded as a sacred entity embodying spiritual power and ancestral connections.^[54]^[55] These communities have historically viewed the bear as a supernatural messenger from the spirit world, capable of guiding humans or signaling harmony with the natural order, a belief reinforced through oral traditions passed down for generations.^[56]^[57] Among the Gitxsan and other inland Tsimshian groups, the spirit bear symbolizes a reminder of the region's glacial past, with legends attributing its white coat to the Creator Raven, who intended it as a marker of the time when ice blanketed the land, every tenth bear emerging white to preserve that memory.^[58] This narrative underscores the bear's role as a cultural emblem of balance, peace, and environmental stewardship, integral to ceremonies, storytelling, and teachings on coexistence with wildlife.^[56]^[59] Indigenous knowledge systems emphasize the bear's rarity as a sign of ecological health, with elders cautioning against revealing its presence to outsiders to safeguard it from exploitation, a practice that persisted until the late 20th century when conservation efforts aligned with traditional values.^[54]^[57] For these nations, the spirit bear is not merely a biological variant but a living embodiment of their worldview, where human prosperity depends on respecting such totems, as articulated in community-led initiatives like those from Kitasoo/Xai'xais territories.^[60]^[55]

Modern Recognition and Symbolism

In 2006, the Kermode bear, commonly known as the Spirit bear, was designated the official mammal of British Columbia, recognizing its unique genetic variation and cultural significance.^[61] This designation underscores its role as a provincial icon, distinct from the Spirit bear's earlier mammalian emblem status held by the more common black bear until that year. The Spirit bear has become a central emblem in modern conservation efforts, particularly for the Great Bear Rainforest. The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, finalized between the Province of British Columbia, First Nations, environmental groups, and industry stakeholders, protected approximately 85% of the rainforest's old-growth forests from commercial logging, with the Spirit bear symbolizing the biodiversity at stake.^[62]^[63] This pact, building on prior 2006 and 2010 interim measures, allocated funds for ecosystem-based management and Indigenous-led initiatives, elevating the bear's status as a flagship species for temperate rainforest preservation.^[64] Symbolically, the Spirit bear embodies harmony between ecological integrity and human stewardship in contemporary Canadian discourse, extending Indigenous views of it as a bearer of peace and balance.^[56] It drives ecotourism, where bear-viewing activities generate visitor spending up to 12 times higher than trophy hunting, supporting remote communities like Klemtu through ventures such as Spirit Bear Lodge, an Indigenous-operated facility established to promote sustainable observation without disturbance.^[65]^[66] This economic model reinforces the bear's representation of resilient, non-extractive resource use, countering historical logging pressures while fostering awareness of genetic rarity and habitat threats.^[67]

Conservation and Threats

Population Estimates and Trends

Estimates of the white-phased Spirit bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) population range from 100 to 500 individuals, confined largely to the Great Bear Rainforest along British Columbia's central and north coasts, with higher concentrations on islands like Princess Royal and Gribbell where the white phenotype occurs at frequencies up to 30%.^[2]^[10] A 2025 survey cited by British Columbia officials placed the number below 500, reflecting challenges in precise enumeration due to the bears' remote habitat and low density relative to black-phased Kermode bears.^[68] Population trends remain uncertain, as comprehensive long-term monitoring data are limited, but the subspecies is not classified as endangered and appears stable owing to habitat protections enacted since the 2006 Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, which conserved over 4.4 million acres of core area.^[69] Potential declines linked to reduced salmon availability— a key food source—have been noted in localized studies, with Pacific salmon populations dropping sharply in recent decades, though no overall population crash has been documented for Spirit bears.^[70]^[71] Conservation efforts prioritize maintaining genetic diversity and connectivity to mitigate risks from inbreeding in isolated island populations.^[9]

Primary Threats

Habitat loss from commercial logging represents a significant threat to spirit bears, as extensive clear-cutting in the Great Bear Rainforest has fragmented their coastal temperate rainforest habitat, reducing access to old-growth forests essential for denning and foraging.^[72] Prior to conservation agreements in 2016, logging affected up to 70% of the rainforest, with ongoing selective logging permitted in some areas despite protections.^[73] Industrial development, particularly proposed oil pipelines and tanker traffic, poses risks of catastrophic oil spills, to which spirit bears are especially vulnerable due to their reliance on salmon streams and dens proximate to shorelines—studies indicate coastal black bears, including Kermode subspecies, den within 100 meters of the sea in over 80% of cases.^[69] The Northern Gateway pipeline project, canceled in 2016 but emblematic of broader energy transport threats, highlighted potential contamination of salmon habitats critical for bear nutrition.^[74] Hunting of black bears in spirit bear territories endangers the recessive white coat allele, as selective or incidental harvesting can diminish the small population carrying the gene; estimates suggest fewer than 400 white individuals exist, with hunting quotas in British Columbia allowing up to 12% annual harvest of regional black bears.^[73] Trophy hunting exacerbates this by targeting large males, potentially skewing gene pools despite bans on hunting white morphs since 1995.^[75] Climate change indirectly threatens spirit bears through salmon population declines from warmer rivers and ocean acidification, as spawning runs—comprising up to 30% of bear diet in fall—have decreased by 20-50% in some British Columbia streams since the 1990s.^[76] Overfishing compounds this, reducing prey availability and forcing bears into riskier human-proximate foraging.^[77]

Protection Measures and Policies

The primary protections for spirit bears, a white color morph of the American black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), stem from habitat conservation in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, forged between the provincial government, First Nations, and environmental groups, conserves 7.4 million acres (approximately 3 million hectares) of coastal temperate rainforest, including core spirit bear habitat, by restricting commercial logging to 2.6 million acres under ecosystem-based management and prohibiting trophy hunting of grizzly bears and Kermode (spirit) bears to prevent population declines from targeted or incidental harvest.^[78]^[79] In July 2022, the British Columbia Ministry of Forests announced a ban on black bear hunting across territories of the Gitga'at and Wuikinuxv First Nations—encompassing about 1,200 square kilometers of prime spirit bear range—to eliminate risks from legal black bear hunts that could unintentionally kill white variants, formalizing long-standing Indigenous calls for such measures.^[80] This builds on the 2016 agreement's hunting restrictions, with provincial policy explicitly exempting spirit bears from black bear harvest quotas while allowing limited non-trophy hunting elsewhere to balance conservation and rural interests.^[81] Ongoing co-management frameworks, updated in July 2023, integrate First Nations governance with provincial oversight to enforce no-logging zones in high-conservation-value forests and promote bear-viewing ecotourism as an alternative to extractive activities, aiming to sustain spirit bear populations amid climate pressures without designating them as a provincially endangered subspecies.^[82]^[62] Despite these policies, areas like Gribbell Island lack formal protected status, leaving portions of spirit bear habitat vulnerable to unregulated development.^[7]

Captivity and Research Programs

A single specimen of Ursus americanus kermodei, known as Clover, resides in captivity at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, British Columbia, making it the only documented Kermode bear held outside the wild.^[83] Relocated there on October 30, 2012, after being deemed a nuisance bear unable to return to its natural habitat, Clover serves an educational role but has not participated in breeding efforts due to logistical and genetic constraints.^[84] The park's management emphasizes rehabilitation and public awareness over reproduction, aligning with provincial policies restricting captive propagation of rare coastal subspecies to minimize stress and genetic dilution risks.^[6] No formal captive breeding programs exist for spirit bears, as their rarity—estimated at fewer than 400 individuals possessing the recessive white-phased trait—and remote habitat in British Columbia's central and north coasts render capture ethically and logistically prohibitive.^[85] Conservation efforts prioritize in situ protection over ex situ breeding, given evidence from population genetics indicating the white variant's frequency is lower than previously assumed (around 2-4% in core areas), which could exacerbate inbreeding depression in small captive populations.^[86] Research programs on spirit bears focus predominantly on non-invasive field studies, genetics, and ecological monitoring rather than captivity. The Spirit Bear Research Foundation, established in collaboration with the Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nation and scientists from the University of Victoria, conducts community-led investigations into bear-salmon interactions, habitat use, and climate impacts, integrating Indigenous knowledge with empirical data from radio-collaring and DNA sampling.^[87] Complementary efforts by the Raincoast Conservation Foundation employ camera traps and genetic analysis to track population dynamics and gene flow, informing land-use decisions without reliance on captive subjects.^[73] These initiatives, operational since the early 2010s, have yielded data on the bears' foraging efficiency and genetic rarity, underscoring the subspecies' vulnerability to logging and environmental change over artificial rearing.^[9]

Debates and Controversies

Subspecies Validity

The designation of the spirit bear as Ursus americanus kermodei originated in 1905 when British Columbia museum director Francis Kermode described white-coated black bears from coastal islands as a distinct subspecies based primarily on pelage variation, with the type specimen collected from Gribbell Island.^[3] This classification emphasized the rarity and geographic restriction of the white phase to central coastal British Columbia, particularly Princess Royal and Gribbell Islands, where frequencies reach 10-30% in some populations.^[3] However, early taxonomic assessments relied on morphological traits like coat color without comprehensive genetic analysis, leading to ongoing scrutiny of its validity as a subspecies rather than a color variant within the broader Ursus americanus species. Genetic investigations have identified the white coat as resulting from a recessive mutation—a tyrosine-to-cysteine substitution at codon 298 in the melanocortin 1 receptor (mc1r) gene—which fully accounts for the phenotype in homozygous individuals without altering other traits distinguishing subspecies, such as cranial morphology or ecology.^[3] This single-locus effect contrasts with subspecies criteria requiring consistent, genome-wide differentiation, often measured by fixed or highly divergent alleles across multiple loci. Mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences place Kermode-phase bears within a coastal black bear clade predating the Wisconsin glaciation (ending ~11,700 years ago), showing no unique maternal lineage. Population-level analyses reveal modest genetic structure: island populations exhibit ~4% lower heterozygosity than mainland counterparts, with pairwise F_ST values averaging 0.14 between high-white-phase sites like Gribbell Island and black-bear-dominated areas, indicative of isolation by distance rather than reproductive isolation. The mc1r allele itself shows elevated differentiation (F_ST=0.223), but this is attributable to drift in small, semi-isolated populations (~100-400 bears per island) combined with potential disassortative mating or salmon-focused selection favoring white morphs in low-light rainforest conditions, not subspecies-level divergence. Microsatellite and mtDNA data confirm gene flow with adjacent black bear populations, undermining claims of evolutionary independence. Contemporary taxonomy views U. a. kermodei as invalid or provisional, with the white phase better classified as a polymorphic morph maintained by local adaptation and demographics within U. americanus emmonsii or the coastal lineage, akin to blue-phase or cinnamon variants elsewhere. Retention of the trinomial in some literature stems from conservation precedents and Indigenous cultural designations rather than empirical taxonomic rigor, as black bear subspecies boundaries remain fluid without fixed genetic markers.^[3] No peer-reviewed studies since 2002 have substantiated subspecies elevation, emphasizing instead the morph's persistence via reduced immigration and effective population sizes below 1,000 individuals across ~400-800 km².

Conservation Prioritization

The conservation prioritization of spirit bears, a white-phased polymorphism of the American black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), remains debated due to their integration within a larger, stable black bear population estimated at tens of thousands in coastal British Columbia, contrasted against the rarity of the white coat allele occurring in only about 1-10% of Kermode bears in core habitats.^[16] Proponents argue for elevated focus given the allele's low frequency—recent genetic sampling across 1,484 hair snares in the Great Bear Rainforest revealed it in fewer than 5% of sites overall, with hotspots limited to specific islands and valleys—potentially vulnerable to stochastic loss from habitat fragmentation or selective hunting of carriers.^[16] ^[88] This rarity, combined with their role as a culturally significant flagship species for First Nations communities like the Kitasoo/Xai'xais, who derive economic benefits from bear-viewing tourism generating up to 12 times the revenue of hunting in comparable areas, supports targeted measures such as expanded no-hunt zones to preserve the recessive gene pool.^[89] ^[65] Critics of special prioritization contend that spirit bears lack evidence of unique ecological adaptations or evolutionary distinctiveness warranting diversion of resources from broader threats to coastal ecosystems, such as salmon declines affecting all black bears or habitat loss impacting grizzly populations.^[9] Genetic analyses confirm the white phase as a simple pigmentation mutation without demonstrated fitness advantages, persisting as a neutral polymorphism rather than an adaptation, which diminishes claims of subspecies-level conservation urgency.^[90] Moreover, black bears overall hold a "Least Concern" status globally, with spirit bears numbering 100-500 individuals benefiting indirectly from partial habitat protections in the Great Bear Rainforest, where logging restrictions cover about 30% of the area but leave gaps in allele hotspots like Gribbell Island.^[91] ^[7] Proposals to ban black bear hunting in spirit bear territories, as advocated by groups like Raincoast Conservation Foundation, raise concerns over restricting sustainable harvests that have coexisted with bear populations for decades, potentially prioritizing a visually striking variant over evidence-based ecosystem-wide strategies.^[73] Empirical prioritization frameworks, such as those balancing genetic rarity against population viability, suggest habitat connectivity and non-selective protections suffice for maintaining the allele's frequency, as modeled in spatial analyses showing gene dispersal via black bear movements across unprotected valleys.^[16] First Nations-led initiatives emphasize co-management integrating traditional knowledge, yet underscore the need for data-driven decisions over symbolic status, given no observed population decline attributable to the morph itself.^[92] Ultimately, while the spirit bear's iconic value has catalyzed rainforest agreements like the 2016 Great Bear Rainforest law designating 7.7 million hectares for conservation, debates persist on whether such emphasis yields disproportionate benefits relative to conserving keystone species with clearer causal links to ecosystem health.^[69]

References

[1]
What is a Spirit Bear? - North American Bear Center
Spirit bears are rare black bears with white or creamy fur, brown eyes, dark nose pads, and nearly white claws. They are not polar bears or albinos.
[2]
Spirit bear guide: where they live, what they eat - and why they're white
Spirit bears aka Kermode bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) are a subspecies of the North American black bear with a rare recessive gene that makes their fur ...
[3]
Inheritance and population structure of the white-phased “Kermode ...
We report that a single nucleotide replacement in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene [1] (mc1r) is responsible for the white coat color of the “Kermode” bear.
[4]
Inheritance and population structure of the white-phased "Kermode ...
Sep 18, 2001 · We report that a single nucleotide replacement in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene [1] (mc1r) is responsible for the white coat color of the Kermode bear.
[5]
White Fur Helps Spirit Bears Catch Salmon - Genome BC
Aug 25, 2021 · Most of these Kermode bears have black fur, but due to a recessive genetic mutation, roughly one in 10 bears have white fur, and are known as ' ...
[6]
Kermode bear or spirit bear - Bear Conservation
Mar 28, 2022 · Status: Estimates of the current population vary between around 400 and 1,200 individuals. Inter-breeding with other subspecies of American ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[7]
Spirit Bear Facts | British Columbia Wildlife Guide
Adult spirit bears, standing slightly over 3 feet at the shoulder, have a completely white coat, which is smooth and shorthaired compared to grizzly bears.
[8]
The Spirit Bears of the Great Bear Rainforest - Atlas Obscura
Mar 15, 2019 · Fewer than 400 are estimated to exist, with the majority living on Princess Royal Island, Gribble Island, and Roderick Island. The chance of ...
[9]
Conservation Mysteries: The Kermode Bear - SciComm @ UCR
May 24, 2021 · This spirit bear is a rare subspecies of black bear primarily seen within the Great Bear Rainforest, located alongside British Columbia's ...
[10]
What's Black, and White, and One of Earth's Rarest Bears?
There is science, not just folklore, behind several of the spirit bear's traits. By genus and species, it's an American black bear. But if both parents (no ...
[11]
Ursus americanus kermodei - NatureServe Explorer
Ursus americanus kermodei, also known as Kermode Bear or Spirit Bear, is a subspecies of black bear endemic to the central and north coast of British Columbia.<|separator|>
[12]
Kermode Bear (Subspecies Ursus americanus kermodei) - iNaturalist
The Kermode bear, also called "spirit bear", is a rare black bear subspecies in British Columbia, with some white individuals. It is the official provincial ...
[13]
Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of Kermode Bear Populations
Control-region sequences confirm that Kermode bears are part of a coastal or western lineage of black bears whose existence predates the Wisconsin glaciation, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[14]
Classification of Black Bears - North American Bear Center
Family: Ursidae ; Subfamily: Ursinae (all living bears except giant panda and the spectacled bear) ; Genus: Ursus ; Subgenus: Euarctos ; Species: americanus ...
[15]
Population genetics of the white-phased "Spirit" black bear of British ...
A single nucleotide polymorphism at the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (mc1r) locus is the cause of this recessive w variant.
[16]
Spatial patterns and rarity of the white‐phased 'Spirit bear' allele ...
Jul 5, 2020 · We addressed three conservation objectives for the white-phased 'Spirit bear' polymorphism, a rare and endemic white-coated phenotype of black bear.
[17]
Study: Spatial patterns and rarity of the white-phased 'Spirit bear ...
Jul 8, 2020 · New research has identified that the small genetic change responsible for Spirit bears – a rare, white-coated form of black bears – is up to 50% rarer in the ...
[18]
POPULATION GENETICS OF THE WHITE‐PHASED “SPIRIT ...
Sep 19, 2011 · The Spirit (or Kermode) bear is a white-phased black bear found on the northwest coast of British Columbia, and is one of the most striking color polymorphisms ...Abstract · Model · Results · Discussion
[19]
https://www.bearconservation.org.uk/kermode-bear-or-spirit-bear/
[20]
Animal Facts: Kermode (spirit) bear | Canadian Geographic
Aug 12, 2021 · Fast Facts ; Common name: Kermode bear or spirit bear ; Scientific name: Ursus americanus kermodei ; Tsimshian name: moksgm'ol ; Type: Mammal ; Diet: ...
[21]
Adaptive coat colour polymorphism in the Kermode bear of coastal ...
We investigated potential ecological attributes of the striking coat colour polymorphism in the black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei Hornaday) occurring on ...
[22]
Bear Identification (U.S. National Park Service)
Oct 26, 2021 · Black bears are smaller than brown bears, standing 2 - 3.5 feet at the shoulder when on all fours. Side-By-Side Comparison of Black and Brown/ ...
[23]
Kermode Bear (Bears of North America) - iNaturalist
A male Kermode bear can reach 225 kg (496 lb) or more. Females are much smaller, with a maximum weight of 135 kg (298 lb). Straight up, it stands 180 cm (71 ...
[24]
[PDF] Bear-Morphology.pdf - ResearchGate
Car- pal, metacarpal, and phalangeal bones are packed with joints that give strength and stability for walking while providing the dexterity described.
[25]
Black Bears vs. Grizzly Bears - What's the difference? - Bear Aware
Jun 1, 2023 · 1. Size: Grizzly bears are significantly larger than black bears. Adult male grizzlies can weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds (180-450 kg) and ...
[26]
Bear Species | Great Bear Foundation
The pure white phase of the black bear along the British Columbia coast is a distinct subspecies called the Kermode bear, or spirit bear, but white phase black ...<|separator|>
[27]
Black Bear vs. Grizzly Bear: What's the Difference? - alaska explored
Mar 26, 2024 · Black Bears are smaller and lighter, typically weighing between 130-500 lbs. Brown Bears are significantly larger and more robust, with weights ...Why Trust Us · My Experience with Black... · Behavioral Differences
[28]
The Eight (8) Bear Species of the World | Bear With Us
Polar bears are among the largest bears in the world. Adult males may reach 800 kilograms (kg) or 1760 pounds (lbs).
[29]
What are the differences between polar, grizzly and black bears?
Jan 28, 2025 · Grizzly bears are larger, heavier and shaped differently from black bears, with a distinctive shoulder hump. They also vary in color.
[30]
Spirit Bear - Valhalla Wilderness Society
The spirit bear inhabits only one place on Earth: the central and north coast of British Columbia, Canada from about Rivers Inlet to Stewart.<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
Spirit Bear - Valhalla Wilderness Society
Spirit bears inhabit the lush, coniferous rainforests of the mid and north coast of British Columbia, where the trees grow large because of the very wet ...Missing: niche | Show results with:niche
[32]
[PDF] Knowledge Base for Focal Species and their Habitats in Coastal B.C.
Kermode bear habitat) in the Central and North Coastal Order provide species-specific objectives for the fine filter management of habitats. Fine filter ...
[33]
Intrapopulation foraging niche variation between phenotypes and ...
Apr 13, 2021 · Using coastal populations of black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) from British Columbia, Canada, we examined potential foraging niche ...
[34]
[PDF] Information Circular - Gov.bc.ca
These distinctive animals, named the “Spirit Bear” by conservation groups, have become a ... Habitat ... Genetic diversity and differentiation of Kermode bear.
[35]
Ursus americanus - USDA Forest Service
American black bears prefer mesic over xeric sites and forests over open areas [261], but wet meadows, swamps, high tidelands, burned areas, and avalanche ...
[36]
Ursus americanus (American black bear)
The black bear's pelage color differs across the its geographical range and varies from black to cinnamon, chocolate brown, bluish-gray, and cream-colored. An ...
[37]
Intrapopulation foraging niche variation between phenotypes and ...
Apr 13, 2021 · Using coastal populations of black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) from British Columbia, Canada, we examined potential foraging niche ...
[38]
Dietary differences among individuals with different genes and coat ...
May 6, 2021 · Using coastal populations of black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) from British Columbia, Canada, we examined potential foraging niche ...Missing: behavior | Show results with:behavior
[39]
darkness, twilight, and daylight foraging success of bears (ursus ...
We examine foraging behavior of coastal black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) during different light regimes on a salmon stream in British Columbia ...
[40]
White Outfishes Black Among BC Bears - University of Victoria
Nov 9, 2009 · BC's famous white “spirit bears” are better fishers than their black brethren, says a new study by two University of Victoria researchers.
[41]
White Coat on a Black Bear - Smithsonian Magazine
Nov 9, 2009 · During the day, the white bears are about 20 percent more efficient in their fishing compared with the black bears. The biologists say that the ...
[42]
The black and white world of spirit bears | Raincoast
Dec 1, 2009 · The spirit bear or Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) is ... spirit bear is 30% more efficient than a black bear at capturing salmon.
[43]
Adaptive coat polymorphism in the Kermode bear of coastal British ...
Aug 7, 2025 · The Spirit (or Kermode) bear is a white-phased black bear found on ... Bears were most efficient at capturing live salmon when standing ...<|separator|>
[44]
Right Paw Foraging Bias in Wild Black Bear (Ursus Americanus ...
This is the first report of task-specific behavioural lateralisation of a wild carnivore and is suggestive of a right bias (left-hemisphere dominance) in object ...Missing: diet | Show results with:diet
[45]
Kermode Bear: Rare Spirit Bear of British Columbia
Jun 7, 2018 · The mating season peaks between June and August. The gestation period is around 8 months. Litters may consist of up to 6 cubs but usually has 2- ...
[46]
SPIRIT BEAR FACTS - News
Feb 7, 2006 · Mating takes place during the summer months, with gestation taking about 220 days. Cubs are born in their mother's winter den in January or ...Missing: Ursus americanus kermodei breeding
[47]
American Black Bear (U.S. National Park Service)
Jul 21, 2021 · Reproduction. Black bears mate in summer every two to three years. Females give birth while in their dens to anywhere between one and six cubs ...Contact Us · American Black Bear · Range And Preferred Habitat
[48]
Kermode Bear (Spirit Bear) Animal Facts - Ursus americanus kermodei
These bears are subspecies of the American black bear, but what makes them so unique is a handful are born with a genetic mutation that renders their fur white ...
[49]
SUNY ESF American Black Bear
Reproduction. Black bears mate in June and July. Adult females breed every other year. If a female's cubs succumb before the breeding season, she may mate that ...
[50]
The Beautiful and Rare Kermode Bear | Critter Science
May 8, 2023 · In what is known as positive assortative mating, black kermode bears tend to breed only with black kermode bears and the white/cream bears breed ...
[51]
How bears and salmon shape their ecosystem - National Park Service
Dec 4, 2020 · Bears are apex predators and influence their ecosystems through predator-prey relationships. Likewise, salmon "feed" the ecosystem not only ...
[52]
Of coastal carnivores and conservation | Raincoast
Sep 12, 2018 · Predators regulate co-evolved prey in numbers – and in behaviour through their mere presence. Via cascading effects, the presence of carnivores ...
[53]
Coastal Herring and a Balanced Ecosystem - Spirit Bear Lodge
Mar 9, 2020 · There is a healthy balance that exists because of the predator prey relationship on land and in the ocean. There is an incredible balance ...
[54]
Long kept secret, Canada's ghostly spirit bears are even rarer than ...
Sep 14, 2020 · Spirit bears are white-coated black bears that inherit their pale fur from a rare recessive gene. Known as moksgm'ol, meaning “white bear”, ...
[55]
Spirit Bear or Kermode Bear? That Is the Question.
Mating takes place during the summer months, with gestation taking about 220 days. Cubs are born in their mother's winter den in January or February, and ...Missing: Ursus americanus kermodei breeding
[56]
Learn about the importance of Spirit Bears with Great Bear Tales
Mar 23, 2023 · In the wild, Spirit Bears can reach up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 350 pounds. They are solitary animals that usually live alone. However, ...
[57]
First Nations Fight to Protect the Rare Spirit Bear from Hunters
Oct 26, 2017 · Kermode bears are found only in the remote archipelago of British Columbia's central coast. A genetic mutation in some black bears gives Kermode ...
[58]
The Spirit Bear: Guardian of Canada's Great Bear Rainforest
Nov 25, 2024 · The Spirit bear lives mainly in the Great Bear Rainforest, a huge area along the coast of British Columbia. This rainforest is about the size of ...
[59]
[PDF] The bears that haunt these woods may look like ghosts, but they are ...
According to native legends, spirit bears could swim deep underwater and lead people to magical places. Legend also has it that Raven, the Creator, made every ...
[60]
Our Story - Spirit Bear Lodge
Spirit Bear Lodge is 100% Indigenous owned, offering exclusive access to wildlife viewing areas and Cultural sites within Kitasoo Xai'xais Traditional Territory ...
[61]
British Columbia's Iconic Spirit Bear
Jun 11, 2024 · The spirit bear, also known as a Kermode bear, is a colour ... The Kermode bear is the official mammal emblem of BC. (The Steller's ...
[62]
Great Bear Rainforest - Province of British Columbia
Aug 1, 2024 · The 2023 Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order and 2016 Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act are the result of historic agreements ...
[63]
British Columbia reaches agreement to protect vast coastal rainforest
Feb 1, 2016 · The agreement to be announced on Monday will see roughly 85% of forest within the Great Bear rainforest protected, with the other 15% available for logging.
[64]
Great Bear Rainforest Agreement | Coastal First Nations
The GBR agreement preserves vast coastal forests but it is not solely focused on conservation; it includes a commitment to sustainable logging in select areas.
[65]
Study: Tourism Helps Protect Canada's Spirit Bear
Rating 5.0 (20) Mar 26, 2014 · A study shows that bear-viewing tours bring in 12 times more money than hunting in western Canada. This may help ban the black bear hunt, ...
[66]
The Success of Spirit Bear Lodge: How a Remote, Community-led ...
Mar 9, 2018 · The Lodge has helped strengthen economic, conservation, and cultural well-being in the community of Klemtu. Wee'get, the Raven, being the ...
[67]
The American Black Bear in Canada | Born Free USA
Sep 15, 2010 · “Kermode” or “spirit” bear. The spirit bear can be white in color, including the normally brown snout. Such animals are not albinos, but are a ...Missing: valid | Show results with:valid
[68]
Rare spirit bear cub living near B.C. highway stirs excitement ... - CBC
Jun 14, 2025 · The official animal of British Columbia, a recent survey estimated their population to be fewer than 500, making them one of the rarest bear ...
[69]
Saving the Kermode “Spirit” Bear - National Wildlife Federation
Jan 28, 2010 · A rare form of black bear that often is actually white faces serious threats to survival in its British Columbia habitat.
[70]
ECO 2018 Sep/Oct: The Last Spirit Bears
Dec 13, 2018 · An enormous decline of wild Pacific salmon in Northwest America has meant that only a few hundred spirit bears (also known as Kermode bears) now
[71]
Why Are Spirit Bear Sightings Declining?
Apr 27, 2020 · Kermode bears, British Columbia's famous white bears, may be in decline as salmon populations drop. What do we lose if one of the world's ...
[72]
Spirit Bears - Natural World Safaris
CONSERVATION STATUS: Spirit bears are endangered. Their dwindling habitat through logging is the biggest threat. Grizzlies and Spirit Bears of the Great Bear ...
[73]
Help protect Spirit bears - Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Jan 16, 2022 · The evolutionary threat posed by the hunting of black bears in the region with Spirit bears, however, calls for cautious management. This ...
[74]
Spirit Bear - Valhalla Wilderness Society
If approved, an imminent oil tanker spill is the greatest threat ever to the Spirit Bear Coast.
[75]
New study reveals rarity of the Spirit Bear and gaps in their ...
Jul 6, 2020 · New study reveals rarity of the Spirit Bear and gaps in their protection in the Great Bear Rainforest - BES is the largest scientific ...Missing: Kermode | Show results with:Kermode
[76]
Ghost of the North: The Spirit Bear – Hadron
Nov 6, 2021 · A Kermode Bear lounges near a river. Constant overfishing as well as increased ocean temperatures pose threats to the Spirit Bear's home.
[77]
Kermode bear - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio
The Kermode bear, sometimes called the spirit bear (Ursus ... The main threats to the bear species include habitat destruction due to oil pipelines.
[78]
A Historic Conservation Agreement Will Protect Canada's Great ...
Feb 3, 2016 · Hunting of both kermode and grizzly bears will be illegal under the new agreement.
[79]
Great Bear Rainforest | TNC in Canada - The Nature Conservancy
This partnership resulted in the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, which was ... A white bear known as a Spirit Bear walks among rocks in a stream, with.
[80]
B.C. government, First Nations ban hunting to protect spirit bear
Jul 21, 2022 · The BC government has banned the hunting of black bears in two First Nations territories in a move that formalizes protection for one of the rarest ursine ...
[81]
[PDF] Economic Impact of Bear Viewing and Bear Hunting in The Great ...
The BC government permits hunting of grizzly and black bears, but not the Spirit Bear.<|separator|>
[82]
Co-management builds resilience in the Great Bear Rainforest
Jul 27, 2023 · New measures to sustain the Great Bear Rainforest as one of the world's most treasured and diverse coastal temperate forest ecosystems have been introduced.
[83]
Rare Kermode 'spirit bear' moved to Kamloops wildlife park - CBC
Oct 30, 2012 · The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, BC, is now home to an extremely rare white bear known as a Kermode or spirit bear.
[84]
Bears - BC Wildlife Park
Learn about our rescued Kermode, grizzly, and black bears at BC Wildlife Park, Kamloops. Learn about their habitats, diet, distribution, ...
[85]
Why the Kermode Spirit Bear is So Rare | IDT
Dec 7, 2020 · Genetics has shown that the white variants of spirit bears—actually, “whiteish” may be a more accurate term, as the coat often appears to ...
[86]
Rare white bear genes less common than previously believed
Jul 16, 2020 · The white variant of the bears arises from a gene variant that isn't related to albinism. First Nations groups and western researchers worked ...
[87]
Spirit Bear Research Foundation: Research Rooted in Indigenous ...
The Foundation collaborates with scientists from the University of Victoria and other institutions and conducts scientific research that answers the community' ...Missing: kermode | Show results with:kermode<|separator|>
[88]
New study reveals rarity of the Spirit bear and gaps in their ...
Jul 6, 2020 · New research has identified that the small genetic change responsible for Spirit bears – a rare, white-coated form of black bears – is up to 50% rarer in the ...
[89]
First Nations-led study indicates spirit bear needs more protected ...
Jul 7, 2020 · Bears, including the rare white-coated Kermode bear known as the spirit bear, are not stealthy creatures. ... A peer-reviewed study ...
[90]
Icon for an Endangered Ecosystem - National Wildlife Federation
Jan 15, 2010 · The Kermode bear is not a distinct species of black bear ... By day, Klinka found, white bears were twice as efficient as black in catching salmon ...
[91]
Kermode Bear (Spirit Bear) Facts & Photos - Wowzerful
These adorable bears can grow between 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) long, and they have a special, fluffy fur coat that makes them super cuddly!<|separator|>
[92]
New study reveals rarity of the Spirit Bear and gaps in their ...
Jul 21, 2020 · They are known as 'Spirit bears' – a rare white-coated variant of black bears that occur only in limited areas in coastal British Columbia, Canada.