Spirit bear

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Kermode bear
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Ursidae
Genus:	Ursus
Species:	U. americanus
Subspecies:	U. a. kermodei
Trinomial name
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 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, British Columbia. 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. However, in September of 2006, logging began in the Green Watershed, a critical area of Spirit Bear habitat that was not protected under the land-use agreement, but the logging plan for the watershed was overseen, and agreed upon by several enviromental groups, including Green Peace.

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 moskÓgm'ol, which simply means "white bear". It can also be translated into a word meaning "To be fresh".

Provincial Symbol

In the February 2006 speech from the throne by the Government of British Columbia, the premier announced his government's intention to designate the Kermode or Spirit bear as British Columbia's official animal.

References

• Spirit Bear Youth Coalition - The Genetics

External links

• Spirit Bear Youth Coalition - Largest youth led environmental organization in the world
• Valhalla Wilderness Society - Spirit Bear
• Kermode Bear Photos
• NRDC Campaign to save spirit bear habitat in British Columbia
• Canada's "Spirit Bears" Gain Perilous Popularity
• Working to protect habitat for the Spirit Bear The Nature Conservancy