Results: Spirit Bears
Published on 03/20/2024
"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." Spirit Bear Lodge
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Which of the Spirit Bear facts are you familiar with?
The Spirit Bear is one of the rarest animals in the world.
15%
336 votes
Current population estimates are from 50 to 150 individuals. This elusive animal is only found in a small portion of the Great Bear Rainforest in Western Canada.
11%
239 votes
Kitasoo Xai'xais Traditional Territory is home to the largest proportion of the Spirit Bear population and the only Spirit Bear Conservancy.
7%
144 votes
None
69%
1508 votes
All of the above
9%
198 votes
2.
2.
Spirit Bears are rare, white-coated Black Bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) that live in the coastal temperate rainforests of Northwest British Columbia. Their striking color is caused by an uncommon recessive genetic trait. Spirit Bears are not a unique species or subspecies, but a unique coloration of the coastal British Columbian Black Bear. Before today's survey, were you aware of these rare bears?
Yes
25%
560 votes
No
75%
1640 votes
3.
3.
Which of these Spirit Bears characteristics are you aware of?
Their entire coat is white/cream colored, from the roots to the tips of their hair.
14%
304 votes
They are not albinos and as a result have dark eyes and noses similar to black-coated Black Bears.
13%
287 votes
The Spirit Bear is classified as a Kermode bear. It is the official provincial mammal of British Columbia and symbol of Terrace, British Columbia.
9%
205 votes
None
67%
1471 votes
All of the above
9%
188 votes
4.
4.
Their unique coloration 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 color. This is the same gene that controls for red hair in humans and blond coats in Labrador Retrievers. Have you ever seen a Spirit Bear in the wild?
Yes
11%
241 votes
No
89%
1959 votes
COMMENTS