Spirit bear
| Spirit bear | |
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| Subspecies: | U. a. kermodei
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| Ursus americanus kermodei | |
The Kermode bear is a genetically-unique subspecies of black bear found in the central coast of British Columbia. Kermodes are noted for the appearance in their gene pool of a recessive trait in that gives a small percentage of their population white or cream-coloured coats. The white bears are known as spirit bears and have a place in the native mythology of the area.
The Kermode subspecies ranges from Princess Royal Island to Prince Rupert Island on the coast, and inland toward Hazelton. It is named after Francis Kermode, a naturalist and museum curator. The habitat for the Kermode bear has been under threat from logging. As of February 2006, the government of British Columbia has brokered a land-use agreement with environmental and First Nations groups and with the logging industry to protect 18,000 square kilometres of land, including one of the largest intact temperate rainforests in the world; the home of the Kermode bear. The agreement will limit forestry in the area and help support eco-tourism.
The Spirit Bear in folklore
The Kermode Bear plays a part in local First Nations lore and religion. Legend has it that long ago the area where the spirit bear lives was covered in ice and snow. Raven saw this and decided to make the land lush and green for the people. But as a reminder to the people of the misery they had once lived in, he made every tenth bear white like ice. This is perhaps a memory of the ice ages transmitted through folklore.
Today the Tsimshian people call white Kermode bears moskgm'ol, which simply means "white bear."
In the February 2006 speech from the throne by the Government of British Columbia, announced its intention to designate the Kermode or Spirit bear as B.C.'s official animal.