The ‘Spirit’ Bear

If you watched the previous clip about the Great Bear region, you may have caught a glimpse of a white bear.  This is definitely not a polar bear.  Most people know it as the ‘spirit’ bear, but technically it is a kermode bear, which is a sub-species of the black bear.  Here is a short clip soley on this unique animal.

This black bear subspecies is known as Ursus americanus kermodei.  To some it is known as the Spirit bear  or “Canada’s panda” and it is British Columbia’s provincial mammal  (Hedrick & Ritland, 2012).  It has been found that this subspecies occurs due to a recessive mutation of the MC1R gene, which is the same gene that is shown in humans through red hair and fair skin (Barcott, 2011).  This recessive gene gives the bear pigmented eyes and skin, but otherwise it is indistinguishable from the usual black-phase bears.  (Marshall & Ritland, 2002).  Unlike other species who show ‘albinosim’, this loss of pigmentation does not affect the bear’s eyesight (Marshall & Ritland, 2002).  In order to produce a Kermode bear, two black bears must carry the recessive genes.  This means that two black bears (both with black coats) have a 25% chance of producing a white cub if they both carry the gene (Barcott, 2011).

This recessive gene is shown in only one of every 40 to 100 black bears on the mainland, but on Princess Royal Island it is one in ten, and on Gribbell Island it is one in three (Barcott, 2011). The Kermode sub-species is largely restricted to these specific islands along coastal British Columbia (Klinka & Reimchen, 2009).  This concentration may be due to the isolation of these islands relative to the mainland (Marshall & Ritland, 2002).  An inference regarding this isolation is that it creates a ‘safe-zone’ for the Kermode, as one of its predators, the grizzly bear, requires more habitat and therefore does not reside on those smaller islands (Barcott, 2011).  It is more likely that their high visibility (due to their white colour) would lead them to be easier for predators, like the grizzly, to spot in other areas, leading to the lower populations (Klinka & Reimchen, 2009).

According to Natives in the area, it is suggested that the white bear was created as a reminder if the Ice age 11,000 years ago (Hedrick & Ritland, 2012).  The Natives may have also played a part in conserving the Kermode because previously they did not speak of the bear, and have rules against hunting it (Barcott, 2011).  In addition to this, there has also been a ban by government on hunting these bears since the 1950s (Hedrick & Ritland, 2012).

So far, detailed information about this populations genetics has been difficult and expensive, therefore, there has been no ongoing research tracking these bears through tags or collars (Hedrick & Ritland, 2012).

References:

Barcott, B.  (2011). Kermode bear. National Geographic, 220(2), 34-53.  Retrieved from: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/kermode-bear/barcott-text

Hedrick, P., & Ritland, K.  (2012).  Population genetics of the white-phased ‘spirit’ black bear of British Columbia.  Evolution, 66, 305 – 313.  doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01463.x

Klinka, D. & Reimchen, T.  (2009).  Adaptive coat colour polymorphism in the Kermode bear of coastal British Columbia.  Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 98, 479 – 488.  doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2009.01306.x

Marshall, H. & Ritland, K.  (2002).  Genetic diversity and differentiation of Kermode bear populations.  Molecular Ecology, 11, 685 – 697).  doi: 10.1046/j.1365-294X.2002.01479.x

NationalGeographic (2012, May4). Untamed Americas: Spirit bear salmon feast. [Video file]. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIsT9KtTlOI

The Great Bear Region

At this moment, there are many different projects being proposed that may change our environmental landscapes.  One of these is the Northern Gateway Project, which is a proposed oil pipeline from the Alberta tar sands through the Great Bear.  The Great Bear is a region of coastal British Columbia, consisting of the Great Bear Sea, and the Great Bear Rainforest.  Here is a short clip to introduce you to the area by WWF Canada.

If the pipeline is approved, the town of Kitimat as well as the entire ecosystem would be forever changed.  This would include the building of a marine terminal at the end of the pipeline for oils tankers to come and go, and if an accident ever occured this could cause chaos for the current ecosystems.  Habitat and as well as the “livelihoods of coastal communities” could be lost.  An “opposition among B.C.’s coastal First Nations is unanimous [and] they’ve promised legal and direct action if the project is approved.” (“Battling big oil”, 2012)

Another issue surrounding this rainforest is logging.  Fifty-four scientist from around the world (coming from nine different countries) have spoken on behalf of the Great Bear Rainforest by sending a letter to the Premier of British Columbia, Christy Clark.  This letter stated that the rainforest should be protected, argueing that it is one of the few large, unmodified landscapes left on earth.  Currently, half of this area remains open to logging, but these scientists are asking that 70% be protected. (“Scientists around the world, 2012)

According to savethegreatbear.org, on July 19, 2012 Christy Clark was also presented with a list of 10,000 signatures asking her to complete the agreements of conserving this area in accordance with the recommendation of 70%. This was also highlighted in Canada Newswire (“Over 10,000 people”, 2012) showing just how important these decisions are to the public.

The company that will be in charge of the build is Enbridge, and they have done environmental assessments in order to combat these negative issues saying they have a first response plan and safety measures already created.  If you would like to read more about their point of view in relation to environmental resposibility you can visit their website here.

If you’re looking to help preserve this wondrous place, WWF Canada has an online petition that you can sign if you reside in Canada, and are a Canadian for the Great Bear against the proposed pipeline.
If you want to help and aren’t residing in canada there is also an online petition at savethegreatbear.org where you can take action against logging in this area.

References:

Battling big oil by land and sea. (2012). Sierra, 97(3). Retrieved from: http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/201205/great-bear-rainforest-paddleboarding-155.aspx

Over 10,000 people ask premier Clark to complete the Great Bear Rainforest agreements. (2012, July 19). Canada Newswire.  Retrieved from: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1009895/over-10-000-people-ask-premier-clark-to-complete-the-great-bear-rainforest-agreements

Scientists around the world concerned over lengthy delays to fully implement the protection agreements in the Great Bear Rainforest.  (2012, June 14). Canada Newswire. Retrieved from:http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/992571/scientists-around-the-world-concerned-over-lengthy-delays-to-fully-implement-the-protection-agreements-in-the-great-bear-rainforest

wwfcanada (2012, January 4). The great bear sea [Video file]. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijtkZpADmxM&feature=plcp