Seeking out the Spirit Bear!

Animal Embassy director and founder, Chris Evers, is currently in Klemtu, British Columbia. He is staying at the Spirit Bear Lodge which belongs to the Kitasoo people. This is an area where travelers, naturalists and photographers come to visit the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. It is home to thousands of species of plants, birds and animals. In this lush rainforest, salmon streams provide food for magnificent creatures such as orcas (killer whales), eagles, wolves, black bears, grizzlies, and the rare Spirit bear

The Spirit bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) or white bear, is thought by scientists to be a genetic variation of the black bear that roams throughout British Columbia. As explained by the Spirit Bear Lodge, the Kitasoo Xaixais people, who have lived with these bears for thousands of years, have a myth about the white bears that says “Raven made one in every ten black bears white to remind the people of a time when glaciers covered this land and how the people should be thankful of the lush and bountiful land of today.” Many of the Kitasoo Xaixais believe the Spirit Bears hold super-natural powers, hence the name Spirit Bear – a name that suits its mythical like presence.

Thus far, Chris has observed approximately ten humpback whales, a school of Dahl's porpoise, harbor seals, and many bald eagles. He has also seen an elephant seal, a black bear and 12 grizzly bears, including four cubs. Hopefully he will spot and photograph a Spirit Bear soon.

This Friday, he will visit the local Kitasoo school and will present a “World Wildlife” digital slide before departing for the next point on his trip. It will be interesting to hear the students’ perspective and learn about their connection to wildlife.

More to come!