The Kermode bear, also known as the “Spirit Bear,” is renowned for its striking white coat. This unique appearance has long fascinated scientists and the indigenous communities who share its habitat.
Identifying the Kermode Bear
The Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) is a distinct subspecies of the American black bear. While most individuals of this subspecies possess black fur, approximately 10 to 20 percent are born with a creamy white or off-white coat. This lighter coloration is not a result of albinism, as Kermode bears retain pigmented skin, dark eyes, and dark noses, distinguishing them from true albino animals which lack all pigment. A male Kermode bear can weigh 225 kg (496 lb) or more, with females being smaller, typically reaching a maximum weight of 135 kg (298 lb).
Where They Live and How They Survive
Kermode bears primarily inhabit the Great Bear Rainforest, a vast temperate rainforest ecosystem located along the central and northern coast of British Columbia, Canada. This region, roughly the size of Ireland, provides a rich environment for these bears.
They are omnivores, consuming plants, berries, nuts, insects, and small animals. Salmon is a primary food source, especially during the autumn spawning season. Bears gather at rivers and streams to feast on pink, chum, and coho salmon, gaining weight for hibernation.
The white fur of the Kermode bear may provide a hunting advantage during daylight hours; studies indicate that white bears are about 35% more successful at catching salmon than black bears. This increased success is likely because their lighter fur is harder for fish to detect against a bright sky, making them less visible underwater.
The Science Behind Their Unique Color
The distinctive white fur of the Kermode bear is due to a specific genetic mutation. This coloration is caused by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene. This mutation is recessive, meaning a bear must inherit two copies of the altered gene—one from each parent—to express the white coat.
Black Kermode bears can carry one copy of this gene and, if two such carriers mate, they can produce a white cub. Despite their unique coloration, white Kermode bears are genetically American black bears, with the white coat simply representing a color phase within the subspecies.
Cultural Significance and Conservation
The Kermode bear holds deep cultural significance for the First Nations people of British Columbia, who revere it as the “Spirit Bear” or “Moksgm’ol.” Oral traditions describe the bear as a symbol of peace and harmony, with some stories suggesting its white coat serves as a reminder of the ice age.
While the Kermode bear subspecies is not currently considered endangered, it faces threats to its population and habitat. Logging and habitat degradation within the Great Bear Rainforest, as well as the potential impact of oil pipelines, pose risks to their environment. Declining salmon populations, a result of climate change and overfishing, also affect the bears’ primary food source. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these bears and their rainforest home, including protected areas and ecosystem-based management practices.