A rare and awe-inspiring moment unfolded deep in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest when a wildlife expert captured footage of a “spirit bear.”
According to Outdoors, the white-furred subspecies of the black bear is so rare that scientists estimate there are only a few hundred left worldwide. The video, captured by Dana Cama, Natural Habitat Adventures‘ Manager of Social & Expedition Content, offers a rare glimpse at an animal often described as mystical, and its appearance is being celebrated as a reminder of nature’s resilience.
The video was recorded in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the last intact temperate rainforests on the planet.
“The Kermode (spirit) bear is one of the rarest animals on Earth. Found almost exclusively in the coastal rainforests of British Columbia, the spirit bear is a symbol of the wild beauty and biodiversity of the region,” said the Instagram caption.
The spirit bear is a genetic rarity. Only about one in 10 black bears in the region carries the recessive gene for leucism, the genetic condition that gives them their snow-white coat.
The encounter brought hope to nature lovers but also underscored the importance of protecting habitats where such fragile populations can continue to survive. Habitat destruction, Earth’s overheating, and dwindling resources threaten bears like the Kermode, causing their numbers to dwindle.
Cameras, both on the trail or in travelers’ hands, capturing these bears and other species in their natural environments, are incredibly important. They help monitor behavioral changes and are great ways to measure the success of conservation programs. As more rare animals continue to be spotted, more hope can arise that the programs are helping to restore the numbers these species once boasted.
Conservation organizations in British Columbia have long advocated for the protection of the Great Bear Rainforest, with initiatives aimed at limiting logging, reducing human encroachment, and preserving salmon streams that sustain the bears’ diet. By documenting the spirit bear on film, experts aim to raise public awareness and promote stronger protections for its habitat.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.