Spirit Bears of the Great Bear Rainforest

On the central and northern coast of British Columbia is a vast and pristine wilderness. Prowling within this wooded swath of earth is the rare Kermode Bear.

Often referred to as spirit bears, the Kermode is not a Polar Bear or an albino, it’s a rare subspecies of American Black bear with a recessive gene that causes its fur to be white. Between 10 to 20 percent of bears in this region are born with this recessive gene.

The spirit bears are the main attraction to the forest, as this is the only place in the world you can find them. Fewer than 400 are estimated to exist, with the majority living on Princess Royal Island, Gribble Island, and Roderick Island.

The chance of spotting one of these amazing bears isn’t the only reason to visit Great Bear Rainforest. While there, you can explore forests, glacial fjords, and soak in hot springs. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife safari. The rainforest is home to wolves, moose, otter, eagles, and dolphins. The Khutzeymateen region is home to the world’s largest population of Grizzly Bears, while Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago are some of the best places in the world to spot orcas.

In 2016, the British Columbia government officially recognized the ecological and cultural importance of the region and thus passed the Great Bear Rainforest Act which protects 85 percent of the forest from habitat destruction.