The kermode bear ursus americanus kermodei, also known as the spirit bear particularly in. A white kermode spirit bear that we saw on hwy 16 east of terrace, bc. There are only a few hundred of these in the wild, seeing one like this was an incredible experience. Canada spirit bear tour great bear rainforest apex. Must do nowhere else does kamloops devotion to mountain biking stick out like it does at the kamloops bike ranch, canadas largest municipal bike park. The spirit bear, also known as a kermode bear, is a variant of the north american black bear and can only be found in the pristine wilderness of the great bear rainforest. Kermode bear to make public debut at bc wildlife park in kamloops. Robert carleton thank you tim and marven for a fantastic trip. Clover, who is almost three years old, lives at the b. The campaign to save the great bear rainforest has heightened efforts to conserve this habitat from further logging and oil pipeline development that threaten the bears future. Experience an ancient culture, spectacular wildlife viewing, stunning landscapes and reconnect with nature. Kamloops wildlife park 2020 all you need to know before. While most kermode bears are black, there are between 100 and 500 fully white individuals.
Wildlife park is in the process of building him his own special enclosure josh pagecbc the b. Seasonal activities abound, with winter wildlight displays to easter celbrations bringing all ages together to have fun in the outdoors. Mcallister, an author and photographer whose books on bears and. Rare kermode spirit bear moved to kamloops wildlife park. We specialize in fully guided combo hunts for moose, bear, deer, cougar, lynx and wolf. Clover the spirit bear has just moved into a brand new home at the bc wildlife park.
Ocean adventures small ship cruises great bear rainforest and. Our idea is to show our guests the beauty of wild life in slovenia forests. Best places to see wildlife in canada the great canadian. Nov 23, 2017 a white kermode spirit bear that we saw on hwy 16 east of terrace, bc. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more.
There arent just grizzlies in the great bear rainforest. As your boat rounds a corner off the coast of a remote, rainforested island along bc s central coast, you catch a glimpse of the elusive kermode spirit bear. Clover the spirit bear has new home at bc wildlife park cbc. Beyond grizzly and black bears, british columbia is also home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, and caribou. Kamloops wildlife park 2020 all you need to know before you go. Spirit bear lodge is indigenous owned, offering exclusive access to wildlife viewing areas and cultural sites within the kitasoo xaixais traditional territory. We invite you to enjoy the experience of beer and deer observing. The staff at spirit bear lodge in the great bear rainforest on bcs central coast describe the magic of the area and the thrill of seeing the local wildlife, including the elusive white spirit bear. Cruise to british columbias most remote and spectacular west coast locations while enjoying the luxury accommodations and gourmet cuisine aboard our 54foot motor yacht, great bear ii.
Spirit bear, grizzly bear viewing and whale watching the great bear rainforest in fall will take you to the heart of bc s great bear rainforest, to experience unparalleled wildlife viewing and whale watching amidst some of the most soul stirring landscapes on earth. Only 400 or so spirit bears are thought to exist, living exclusively along this wild portion of the british columbia coast. The area offers pristine, diverse environments ranging from sandy beaches, mountain peaks, lowland oldgrowth rainforests and fjords. We have been especially blessed to have an unusual relationship with kermode bears as they roamed our property in rosswood bc along the beautiful nisgaa highway 1 north of terrace bc. Strong in voice and spirit, the 86yearold clifton is a clan matriarch of the gitgaat, one of 14 bands that make up the tsimshian people of british columbias northwest coast. Tracking the mythical spirit bear that roams the great bear rainforest in northern bc is a once in a lifetime experience. Orphaned spirit bear gets new home teaching kids news. Clover the kermode bear is getting ready for a debut at the bc wildlife park in kamloops this weekend after the completion of a new habitat for. Photographer paul nicklen grew up in nunavut, amid the ice floes and frigid seas of northern canada. The great bear rain forest is such a beautiful and surreal place. Tweedsmuir park lodge grizzly safari 7 nights bc ferries. Its estimated that 400 spirit bears live here, with two islands in particular hosting the largest numberson princess royal island, one in ten black bears is white, and on gribbell island, one in three is white. National geographic named the great bear rainforest one of its best trips in 20. Bc is one of the premier hunting destinations in north america.
A quick guide to the great bear rainforest keep exploring. The forests hide grizzly and other bears, including the elusive white kermode spirit bear. Sail into the narrow, winding fjords of northern british columbia and enter the domain of the rare spirit bear on this 8day small ship cruise through canada and alaska. Join us for exciting animal encounters, ride the mini train, cool off in our splash park and much more.
Natural british columbia and super, natural and all. A rare subspecies of the american black bear, these magnificent, white bears are the provincial mammal of british columbia. My sister and i visited the bc wildlife park once known as the kamloops wildlife park especially to see clover, the spirit bear, also known as a kermode bear. Located in the heart of the great bear rainforest, spirit bear lodge offers world class wildlife tours, indigenous cultural experiences that are second to none. Spirit bear refers to any whitecoated american black bear.
Also known as kermode bears, they are actually black bears with a recessive gene. Please consult government travel advisories before booking. It is the official provincial mammal of british columbia. Overall the spirit bear tour was a great adventure and many thanks to tim and the people of hartley bay for making this possible. May, 2014 kamloops wildlife park this wildlife park is an excellant, yearround opportunity to share wildlife and the outdoors with children of all ages, and adults as well.
Be sure to keep your distance from wildlife30 m 98 ft minimum, and even further, at least 100 m 328 ft, from predators such as bears. The yearling cub was found abandoned in northwestern british columbia on the side of terrace mountain near terrace. Spirit bear lodge in bcs great bear rainforest youtube. The magical princess royal island is home to the rare kermode spirit bear, a subspecies of black bear found only in this part of the world and the official mammal of b. In october 2012, it was announced that a kermode bear would be housed at the british columbia wildlife park in kamloops, bc, believed to be the first kermode bear in captivity. By land and sea, british columbia is ecologically diverse. In bc, these soulstirring experiences are within reach with the help of an expert guide. Northern bc is characterized by some of the wildest and most beautiful landscapes in the province. This precious spirit bear is only found in the great bear rainforest of northwestern british columbia, canada. Book your tickets online for kamloops wildlife park, kamloops. Coastal british columbia wildlife spirit bear lodge. You could win a 6night great bear circle tour for two. The spirit bear is found almost exclusively in the denselyforested islands of canadas great bear rainforest. Its taken this long to have a suitable enclosure built.
Ancient cedars, glaciercut fjords, and the elusive spirit bear await in the great bear rainforest, one of canadas 50 places of a lifetime. Theres more wildlife here than in any other canadian province, and a good proportion of the species found here are unique to the region. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. The bc wildlife park connects people to bcs wildlife and wild places in order to encourage a sustainable society within a healthy natural. Oct 23, 2012 white kermode spirit bears of the great bear rainforest, north coast of british columbia bc the only place in the world you will find the sacred spirit bear. Rare kermode spirit bear moved to kamloops wildlife park cbc.
Grizzly, black, and spirit bears live and thrive in the rich oldgrowth forests, misty fjords, and rocky coastlines. Bc wildlife park boasts the largest burrowing owl breeding facility in the world. Experience wildlife up close at the bc wildlife park. Princess royal island in the great bear rainforest. Thankfully, going to the bc wildlife park in kamloops, british. May 17, 2018 the staff at spirit bear lodge in the great bear rainforest on bc s central coast describe the magic of the area and the thrill of seeing the local wildlife, including the elusive white spirit bear. Spot whales, porpoise, sea lions, and much more while exploring the great bear sea. The kitasoo spirit bear conservancy is a large hypermaritime area centered on laredo inlet, a long protected inlet on princess royal island, the fourth largest island in bc. Bears bc wildlife park its all happening at the park. Search for grizzly bears, black bears, and spirit bears in pristine river valleys. It also specifically refers to the kermode bear, a subspecies of american black bear in coastal british columbia, which has a high prevalence of whitecoated bears.
Kamloops wildlife park 2020 all you need to know before you. British columbia, canadas most westerly province, stretches from the pacific ocean in the west to the rockies in the east. Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy. Glenn grant, general manager of the bc wildlife park, says clover is. The kermode spirit bear, a subspecies of black bear with a white coat and british columbias provincial mammal, is found almost exclusively in the great bear rainforest. Spirit bear, grizzly bearviewing boat tour, great bear. He has published numerous stories for national geographic, and has received more than 20 international accolades, including five awards from world press photo, three from pictures of the year international, two from communication arts, and ten from bbc wildlife for photographer of the year. Under section 2 property in wildlife section 24 states that a person who by accident or for protection of life or property kills wildlife, that wildlife remains the property of the. We offer an exclusive guiding territory, encompassing approximately 4,000 square miles of prime hunting area, located in game management unit 5 of the cariboo region of british columbia bc. First name last name phone email enewsletter sign up to receive our travel emails. Embark on a mindblowing journey of a lifetime, as you travel on a 7night selfdrive vacation past rugged mountains and tranquil lakes into the heart of the great bear rainforest. The bc wildlife park is home to over 200 animals that are native to british columbia. Join facebook to connect with bc zoo and others you may know.
There are likely fewer than 400 of these rare bears in existence. The whole family will enjoy seeing big cats, exotic birds, the spirit bear and coldblooded reptiles during your visit when you stay at our nearby kamloops hotel. Immerse yourself in true wilderness on a grand scale, deep in the heart of the great bear rainforest. Wildsafe bc is a great resource for making any bear experiences you may have in bc positive and conflictfree. Clover the spirit bear has new home at bc wildlife park.
The kermode bear ursus americanus kermodei, also known as the spirit bear particularly in british columbia, is a rare subspecies of the american black bear living in the central and north coast regions of british columbia, canada. The elusive kermode bear, otherwise known as the spirit bear, is a mustsee for wildlife enthusiasts wanting to tick all of canadas more unique animals off their list. Leave the modern world behind and reconnect with nature, set your camera down, breath in the crisp forest air and relax. Bears that are harassing or menacing domestic animals livestock or birds can be hunted on a persons property under section 262 of the wildlife act.
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