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PAHave you ever met the Kermode spirit bear, one of the rarest bears on the planet?
Spirit bears are a rare, white or cream-coated black bear endemic to the Great Bear Rainforest. The white coloration of the spirit bear is caused by a recessive gene that must be inherited from both parents to be born with a white coat. It is theorized that their white fur helps them catch fish in the daytime because they blend in more easily with the overcast sky than their black siblings.
Spirit bears are culturally and economically important. They are deeply integrated into many aspects of culture, including songs, dances, stories and teachings for some coastal First Nations. The Kitasoo Xai’xais and Gitga’at First Nations have successfully banned black bear hunting in key parts of their territories to protect future generations of these rare white-coloured bears, called Moksgm’ol.
Although hunting of spirit bears has been banned since the 1950s, black bear hunting posed a threat to the gene pool and endangered the spirit bear population. The ban on hunting black bears in critical areas aims to protect these unique bears and their habitat.
🎥 Ian McAllister
#wildlife #wildlifeconservation #blackbears #spiritbears #greatbearrainforest
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