The Mysterious Spirit Bears of British Columbia

The Mysterious Spirit Bears of British Columbia

Posted by Michael Starbuck on 3rd Aug 2015

If you've ever been hiking in the backcountry on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, you've probably seen a wealth of natural wonders, but if you were particularly lucky, you may have spotted a striking flash of white moving through the trees.

Hopefully you didn't panic for fear that a polar bear had miraculously wandered thousands of miles into the Canadian wilderness. In truth, you had the good fortune to spy one of this region's true treasures – a spirit bear. So named because of their legendary culture status to the indigenous people of the region, the Tsimshian, spirit bears are scientifically known as Kermode bears. However, they are actually a subspecies of the American black bear, with one notable difference – a completely white coat.

The unbelievable diversity of life on this planet is caused by genetic variations and millions of generations of natural selection and evolution, but rarely are such distinct variations so beautifully apparent to the naked eye. Scientists believe that spirit bears' stark white color is due to a single recessive gene that has managed to become quite prominent in the gene pool of the region. Due to the area's geographical isolation from other black bear populations, the recessive gene appears much more often than normal – approximately 1 in 10 black bears are born with white fur, while in other black bear habitats, the likelihood of a cub popping out white is roughly 1 in a million.

At present, scientists estimate that there are over 500 spirit bears in the region, including about 20% concentrated on Princess Royal Island. While scientists have provided a valid explanation for the bears' exceptional appearance, the indigenous people have a much different explanation. In their oral tradition, legend has it that "Raven" made 1 in every 10 bears white to remind people that this land had once been completely covered by glaciers, as a way to instill respect for the natural world around them.

While recessive genes are often associated with negative mutations and are often worked out of the gene pool through the process of natural selection, this recessive gene actually provides a major advantage for spirit bears. Their coloring makes them much more difficult to spot by salmon, as compared to other black bears. Spirit bears have been shown to be much more proficient at fishing out food from the streams, effectively promoting their survival and increasing the concentration of the recessive gene in the black bear population.

The mythical history and their extraordinary appearance draws researchers and wilderness lovers from all over the world, so much so that the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy has been established on Princess Royal Island. Although there has always been a deep respect for the environment in this area, logging and hunting still poses a threat to black bears and spirit bears alike. Fortunately, these miraculous "mistakes" of nature show no signs of disappearing, and continue to thrive in this stunning part of the world.


Share this Article...

Share this article with your friends and followers by using the social media buttons below.


Leave a Comment...

Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.

500 characters remaining

Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.


Featured Videos


Experience The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary

See what you could get up to as a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary! This volunteer project offers you the chance to get up close and personal with some of the country's most iconic species.

Discover The Great White Shark Project

Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.

Volunteers Review Their Experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Volunteers talk about their recent experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo.

Latest Blog Arcticles


 Alert: Launch of New Rhino Rescue Project!

Alert: Launch of New Rhino Rescue Project!

We have just launched an incredible new project in South...

My Namibian Experience As A Mature Volunteer

My Namibian Experience As A Mature Volunteer

Barbara recently joined the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary as a...

It’s Orangutan Release Time!

It’s Orangutan Release Time!

12 more orangutans have been successfully released back...

Meet 12 orangutan candidates up for release!

Meet 12 orangutan candidates up for release!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Borneo...

Linda's Samboja Lestari Orangutan Adventure

Linda's Samboja Lestari Orangutan Adventure

Linda Duchin volunteered at the Samboja Lestari Orangutan...

Two Rewilded Cheetahs, Two Years On - A Remarkable Rewilding Story

Two Rewilded Cheetahs, Two Years On - A Remarkable Rewilding Story

Join us on a remarkable rewilding journey as we revisit the...

Janet & Mick's Unforgettable Gorilla Adventure

Janet & Mick's Unforgettable Gorilla Adventure

Janet and Mick joined The Great Gorilla Project last year...

The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

Lauren and James have returned and are ready to relay tales...


Where you can go
Contact Info
UK Office
The Great Traveller Ltd,
3 Dairy Yard
Star Street
Ware, Hertfordshire
SG12 7DX
United Kingdom

Opening hours:
   Mon-Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
   Sat 10am-4pm

T: +44(0) 208 885 4987