The Rare Kermode Bear

The Kermode Bear is one of the greatest mysteries of the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada. They have been guild 'Spirit Bears' in first nation mythology due to their whitish Colouring. In reality, the Kermode is just a White sub-species of the black bear though it is often mistaken for either being an Albino or a Polar. The Whitish colouring is caused by a recessive gene that both mother and father must share. The Kermode is actually one of the gentlest bears, only attacking if it's cubs have been attacked or it has been affected by starvation.

When a Kemode bear is born, it weighs only about half of a pound, but as it grows, it will reach it's full weight of up to 300 pounds, same as the Black bear. The mother is quite protective of her cubs and teaches them how to hunt for food and other survival needs. They are born in the spring and stay with their mother until the end of summer when the Salmon season begins.

According to Tsimshiam legend, long ago the world was covered in ice and snow. One day, the raven, the creator of the world, came down from heaven and turned the world green, as it is today. But as a reminder of the time when all was white, the raven went among the bears and turned every tenth one the color of snow. The raven decreed that the white bear, which the Tsimshiam call Moksgm'ol, would live forever in peace.

This legend has not come to pass though for the Spirit Bear does not live in peace. Logging, and other environmental probelms have caused them and their habitats to be put into danger. Each day, their homes are destroyed, making it harder and harder for these great bears to survive. Some help has already begun to be provided, but lots more still must be done. If things continue as they are, the Kermode will be as rare as the Panda within 200 years.

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