Spirit Bear
The creator Raven wanted to remind the Kitasoo Xai'xais Peoples of a time when this land was covered in ice, so he decided to turn one in ten black bears white. The white bear reminds us to be thankful for the lush and bountiful land of today.
The Spirit Bear is one of the rarest animals in the world. It is truly a transformative experience to spend time in one’s presence.
Current population estimates are from 50 to 150 individuals. This elusive animal is only found in a small portion of the Great Bear Rainforest. Kitasoo Xai’xais Traditional Territory is home to the largest proportion of the Spirit Bear population and the only Spirit Bear Conservancy.
We all hope to set eyes on the elusive spirit bear, but we encourage all of our guests to see their adventure with us as expansive. The experience we aim to provide is one of connecting with a truly wild place and a rich culture. Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory is special for many more reasons than the spirit bear.
Sightings of the Spirit Bear in this wild landscape vary, but the search is as much a part of the experience as a sighting.
Roughly 50% of our guests will set eyes on the secretive white bear that remains hidden in the trackless wilderness of The Great Bear Rainforest.
Spirit Bears are rare white-coated Black Bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) that live in the coastal temperate rainforests of Northwest British Columbia. Their striking colour is caused by an uncommon recessive genetic trait. Spirit Bears are not a unique species or subspecies, but a unique colouration of the coastal British Columbian Black Bear.
Spirit Bear white- or cream-coats colouration is caused by a genetic trait that is uncommon within coastal black bears. Their entire coat is white, from the roots to the tips of their hair. However, they are not albinos and as a result have dark eyes and noses similar to black-coated Black Bears.
Their unique colouration is caused by a rare variation at the Mc1r gene (melanocortin 1 receptor), which is involved in melanin production, or the pigment responsible for skin, hair and eye colour. This is the same gene that controls for red hair in humans and blond coats in Labrador Retrievers.
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