The literature about the Spirit Bear and the Kermode bear is filled with nonsense. First, the Kermode is NOT a Spirit Bear; second, while the Kermode may or may not be a sub species, the Spirit Bear is NOT a sub species of the Black Bear. Sigh…, the hyperbole and touristy schlock seems endless.<\/p>\n
The name, Black Bear, is somewhat unfortunate for not all Black Bears are black. As with human hair colour, these bears come on a variety of colours (called colour phases): black, chocolate, cinnamon, white and everything in between. They do not represent different sub species; indeed, a single litter may contain cubs of different colours. Mind you, white (or cream) bears are the exception everywhere. They are most common on the North Coast of BC among a group of Black Bears styled the Kermode, but even there, they are rare (fewer than 10%). Around here, they are rarer still, but they are seen.<\/p>\n
The Spirit Bear is defined (by the Government) as a white colour phase Black Bear—wherever it is seen in the Province. And they are seen throughout the Province. Further, not only is the Spirit Bear a provincial symbol, but it is protected (from hunting).<\/p>\n
The Kootenay-Lake\u00a0Website offers a discussion and more pictures of the local black bear<\/a>.<\/p>\n Below is a picture of a local Spirit Bear cub, taken by Doug Thorburn in July, 2010, The literature about the Spirit Bear and the Kermode bear is filled with nonsense. First, the Kermode is NOT a Spirit Bear; second, while the Kermode may or may not be a sub species, the Spirit Bear is NOT a … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.kootenay-lake.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/whitebladkbear100720DT.jpg\")
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