THE SPIRIT BEAR

Spirit Bear Photo © Spirit Bear Website 2006

THE SPIRIT BEAR: The white Kermode or spirit bear - a genetically unique subspecies of the black bear found only on Canada’s west coast - numbers fewer than 400, and its future is threatened by habitat loss.

THE LAND OF THE SPIRIT BEAR: With cathedrals of ancient trees, rivers teaming with salmon and wildlife as diverse as that found in Africa’s Serengeti, the land of the spirit bear is the world’s last large area of intact and unprotected temperate rainforest - the bear’s last chance for survival.

A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY: Saving the spirit bear means more than just conserving its habitat - it’s about ensuring the local affected First Nation communities realize their sustainable economic potential so that no one is left with the burden of saving the spirit bear.

THE POWER OF ONE - UNITED AS ONE VOICE: One voice joined with another, spanning the globe, has proven how each person can change our world - 6 million young people in over 60 countries have challenged the status quo to give the spirit bear a voice and in the doing, created the world’s largest youth-led environmental movement, under the umbrella of the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, and inspired a major Hollywood animated movie - the first of its kind made specifically for the purpose of protecting its namesake.

THE SPIRIT BEAR:

The spirit bear is a rare, white, genetically unique sub-species of the black bear found only on British Columbia’s north central coast. Its scientific name, Kermode bear, is named after Francis Kermode, who conducted the first studies into the origins of the white bear in the early 1900’s.

There are fewer than 400 white bears remaining, with the highest concentration found on and around Princess Royal Island. It is believed that one out of every ten black Kermode bears in this area are born white-the result of a double recessive gene.

The reason for the existence of the white bear is still unknown, but what is known is that the survival of the white bear is dependant on a healthy, stable gene pool. If the bear’s last intact habitat is developed, the resulting stress on the gene pool-a ’swamping effect’-would be enough to cause the white gene to become extinct.

Due to the spirit bear’s color, it has the ability to catch more salmon. The more salmon it catches means more rotting fish carcasses deposited on the forest floor. This cycle provides the needed nutrients for the trees to grow and in turn, sustains one of the largest land carbon sinks in the world.

As a result of its isolation, some of the area’s bears appear mellow and ’trusting’ of humans, offering humankind a unique insight into truly wild bears.

First Nation legend states that the Raven, their creator, went among the black bears, turning every tenth one white as a reminder of the last ice age. The bears - named Moksmg’ol or spirit bear - decreed that they would live in peace and harmony forever.