The White Grizzly

Exploring the rarity of an Extraordinary Encounter…..

British Columbia’s coastline is a stunning labyrinth of beautiful places… countless fiords and bays, each containing hidden stories and spectacular wildlife. On this summer morning Chris and I joined a friend cruising one of these remote nameless fiords, for a day of wildlife viewing. The scenery was breathtaking, we felt small and insignificant amidst towering snowcapped mountain ranges… the freshness of salt air in this wilderness sanctuary was invigorating. More perfect weather couldn’t be imagined… sunny, warm, and waters so calm they reflected the inlet’s green mountainsides… simply a remarkable environment to reconnect with nature.

Observing grizzly bears foraging in wild places is an unforgettable wonderful experience to many, and British Columbia’s coastal rainforests and rugged mountains are a well-known habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife. Moving forward were entertaining seals, sea otters, murres, grebes, eagles. Schools of anchovies and herring boiled here and there chased by salmon below, and circled above by flocks of hungry seagulls. On shore ravens, crows, were busy devouring bits of crustaceans hopping from rock to rock peering into crevices and crannies for whatever tasty morsels were hidden. We saw fleeting glimpses of mink and an occasional Blacktail deer scooting out of sight into a timber sanctuary. We felt as if we were viewing our own personal episode of the Wild Kingdom, and reason enough for being out here. However, Chris and I were hoping to photograph grizzlies in natural surroundings uninfluenced by human activity.

Then rounding a point close to shore we could never have imagined a chance sighting of a white grizzly; a rare colour phenomenon that inspires awe and curiosity. Yet before us fifty metres away in this marine paradise was a magnificent white grizzly in a setting embraced by the fiord’s spectacular beauty, a sighting elevating our day of exploration to an amazing once-in-a-lifetime event.

Such moments would thrill any nature lover, sparking stories that ripple through local communities, coffee shops, and scientific circles alike. The rarity of seeing a white grizzly bear can scarcely be overstated.

When compared to Black Bears, Grizzlies are generally larger, have a pronounced shoulder hump, and their faces appear more concave with shorter, rounded ears. Black Bears, on the other hand, are primarily black and lack the grizzlies characteristic shoulder hump, have straighter facial profiles, and their ears are taller and more pointed. Black bear claws are shorter and less visible, while grizzly bear claws are much longer and more curved.

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) typically range in hues of brown, from deep chocolate to cinnamon. But a pale or white coat is seldom seen and thought to be a genetic anomaly, possibly due to a recessive gene. Even the face of this powerful omnivore was white!

The white grizzly is not to be confused with the famed spirit bear or Kermode bear, that is actually a subspecies of the black bear.! It too has a creamy white coat similar to today’s grizzly encounter. (Apparently there are fewer than 400 white-coloured Kermode bears in an area from Southeast Alaska southwards to the northern tip of Vancouver Island; about 120 inhabit the large Princess and Prince Royal Islands of the Great Bear Rainforest) The sudden appearance of our find is said to be even rarer than a Kermode bear. The distinct and dramatic colour departure from norm is a subject of fascinating interest to those who study grizzly bears: academics and the public alike.

We could hardly contain our excitement, and sat awestruck in a silence that was palpable. Such a unique wild sighting is something most only dream of… instantly knowing this memory would be cherished for years to come. The bear’s silhouette glowed against the multitude of barnacled and seaweed covered rocks bordering a lush green rainforest backdrop; it was surreal, an almost mythical scene. I was reminded of legends and folklore of strange animal sightings. I recalled reading about Lewis and Clark 1800’s reference to seeing “white” grizzly bears in the Columbia river region… Indeed photographs and videos of chance sightings of unusually coloured animals circulate online, white moose, white deer, and white black bear are posted by those eager to learn more about the their origins and behaviour.

For us today, the short ten minute visit with this phenomenal animal felt like stumbling into a storybook world, where nature’s mysteries unfold in unexpected ways. The white fur offered us valuable insights into the genetic diversity of unusually pigmented animal populations in the province. Researchers are keen to study such individuals to better understand genetic traits that produce unique colouring. The excitement among biologists is matched by a community urgency to continue protecting these rare and endangered omnivores, ensuring that their unique genes traits persist in the wild. Such discoveries fuel further environmental conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of preserving BC’s pristine wilderness areas to protect the remarkable creatures that inhabit such places, for our children’s children to enjoy.

Local Indigenous communities, and many outdoor enthusiasts feel a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land and its wildlife. They interpret the appearance of white animals as a powerful symbols denoting the wondrous grandeur of the Wild Kingdom. These rare animals are perhaps messengers sanctifying and reminding us of the glory of nature. Indeed our excitement generated by today’s sighting weaves into the broader story of responsible stewardship and respect for the land. Our good fortune of today symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things, enriching the significance of our encounter far beyond a scientific rarity.

Ultimately, the discovery of a white grizzly bear in this remote nameless BC coast location is both an amazing wonder of the natural world, and a thrill of encountering the unexpected in the Wild Kingdom! Our adventure serves as a vivid reminder that the wilderness still holds secrets, waiting to be uncovered by those willing to explore with open eyes and open hearts. Whether viewed through the lens of our camera, science, or culture, a white grizzly sighting is an event that filled us with a profound sense of humility, strengthening our connection to Mother Nature in ways words can barely express. In those exciting moments the forest itself was sharing the notion every living thing is deeply intertwined within the larger tapestry of life. The awe and gratitude of the day continued long after the bear disappeared into the woods. For Chris and I the beauty of nature strengthens a desire to protect these wild spaces and their secrets for generations to come.

Safe travels,

Gord