Spirit bears are born with rare white coats.

PAUL NICKLEN/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE

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TEKS: Science: 3.9A, 4.9, 5.9A, 6.12E; ELA: 3.4B, 4.2B, 5.2B, 6.2B

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Ghost Bears of the Rainforest

Scientists and native Canadians team up to help the world’s rarest bears

October 2017
By Katherine Tweed

On a riverbank in western Canada, a pale white bear hunts for fish. But this animal isn’t a polar bear. It’s a black bear born with a rare cream-colored coat. The native people of western Canada call these ghostly animals spirit bears. 

Spirit bears are considered the rarest bears on Earth. There are only about 400 in the wild. Most live in a remote area of Canada called the Great Bear Rainforest (see Coastal Home). It’s the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

Scientists are tracking spirit bears to better understand their life in this isolated habitat. “It is a peek into the world of these amazing animals that very few people get to see,” says Christina Service. She’s a scientist with the Spirit Bear Research Foundation based in Klemtu, British Columbia.

Scientists like Service have partners in studying bears. The Kitasoo/Xai’xais (kit-AH-soo/hiy-hiyss) people are indigenous to this area of Canada. They’ve shared the region with bears for thousands of years and consider spirit bears sacred. They work with scientists to protect the animals and the rainforest they call home.

A pale white bear stands on a riverbank in western Canada. It’s hunting for fish. But this animal isn’t a polar bear. It’s a black bear. It was born with a rare cream-colored coat. Local native people call these ghostly animals spirit bears. 

Spirit bears are thought to be the rarest bears on Earth. There are only about 400 in the wild. Most live in a remote area of Canada. It’s called the Great Bear Rainforest (see Coastal Home). It’s the largest temperate rainforest in the world.

Scientists are tracking spirit bears. They want to learn about their life in this special place. “It is a peek into the world of these amazing animals that very few people get to see,” says Christina Service. She’s a scientist with the Spirit Bear Research Foundation. It’s based in Klemtu, British Columbia.

Scientists like Service have partners in studying bears. They are the Kitasoo/Xai’xais (kit-AH-soo/hiy-hiyss) people. They’re indigenous to this part of Canada. They’ve shared the area with bears for thousands of years. They believe spirit bears are sacred. They work with scientists to protect the animals. They also protect the rainforest the bears call home.

Coastal Home

Spirit bears live mostly on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island within Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Spirit bears live mostly on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island within Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN®

Think: Why do you think spirit bears live where they do?

Think: Why do you think spirit bears live where they do?

Coastal Home

Spirit bears live mostly on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island within Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Spirit bears live mostly on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island within Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN®

Think: Why do you think spirit bears live where they do?

Think: Why do you think spirit bears live where they do?

Northern Rainforest

Melissa Groo

A researcher from the Kitasoo/Xai’xais community collects spirit bear hairs.

The Great Bear Rainforest is sometimes called the “Amazon of the North.” But the damp, mossy region looks different from tropical rainforests like the Amazon. In a tropical rainforest, trees are leafy. In a temperate rainforest, most trees have needles instead. 

The climate of a temperate rainforest is different too. The Amazon is hot and muggy. The Great Bear Rainforest is cool and gray. Animals from sea otters to mountain goats live beneath its overcast skies. 

Spirit bears may have an advantage in this habitat. To a fish in a river, a black bear stands out against a cloudy sky. But white fur is more difficult to see against that background. Scientists think that makes it easier for spirit bears to catch fish.

Most spirit bears live on two small islands within the Great Bear Rainforest. On these islands, one in five bears are born with a white coat. Outside the region, only one in a million black bears have white fur.

The Great Bear Rainforest has a nickname. It’s sometimes called the “Amazon of the North.” But it’s damp and mossy. That’s quite different from the Amazon. The Amazon is a tropical rainforest. Trees there are leafy. Most trees have needles in a temperate rainforest.

The climate of a temperate rainforest is different too. The Amazon is hot and muggy. The Great Bear Rainforest is cool and gray. Many animals live under its cloudy skies. They range from sea otters to mountain goats.

Spirit bears may have a benefit in their rainforest home. A black bear is easy to see against a cloudy sky. Fish they’re after can easily spot them. But white fur is harder to see against clouds. Scientists think that helps spirit bears catch fish.

Most spirit bears live on two small islands. One in five bears there are born with a white coat. Compare that with black bears not on the islands. Only one in a million of them have white fur.

Eric Baccega/npl/Minden Pictures

This black bear mother had a white-coated cub. White spirit bears can also have cubs with black coats.

Tracking Spirits

Following the bears in this remote, wet habitat is hard work. “It’s called a rainforest for a reason,” says Service. The area gets about 300 centimeters (120 inches) of rain per year.

Service and her colleagues travel by boat or helicopter to reach the islands where spirit bears live. They set up wildlife cameras to record bears that pass by. They also build wire fences that the bears rub against, leaving behind tufts of hair. Analyzing the hair helps scientists determine which individual bears are in the area. 

Kitasoo/Xai’xais community members help collect data on the bears. Some adult spirit bears have been monitored since the day they were born. 

Following the bears in this remote area isn’t easy. “It’s called a rainforest for a reason,” says Service. It gets about 300 centimeters (120 inches) of rain per year.

Service and other scientists travel by boat or helicopter. They eventually reach the islands where spirit bears live. They set up wildlife cameras. They record bears that pass by. They also build wire fences. Bears rub against them. They leave behind tufts of hair. Scientists study the hair. It helps them learn which bears are in the area.

The Kitasoo/Xai’xais help collect data too. Some adult spirit bears have been studied since the day they were born. 

Watering a Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and a mountain range called the Coast Mountains. This combination creates a lot of rainfall. Here’s how.

The Great Bear Rainforest is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and a mountain range called the Coast Mountains. This combination creates a lot of rainfall. Here’s how.

KATE FRANCIS

Warm, moist air rises off the ocean.

Warm, moist air rises off the ocean.

Winds push the air up the mountains. The air cools as it rises.

Winds push the air up the mountains. The air cools as it rises.

Moisture in the air condenses into clouds. It falls as rain.

Moisture in the air condenses into clouds. It falls as rain.

Dry air descends on the other side of the mountains.

Dry air descends on the other side of the mountains.

Think: How might geography influence the climate where you live?

Think: How might geography influence the climate where you live?

Watering a Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and a mountain range called the Coast Mountains. This combination creates a lot of rainfall. Here’s how.

The Great Bear Rainforest is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and a mountain range called the Coast Mountains. This combination creates a lot of rainfall. Here’s how.

KATE FRANCIS

Warm, moist air rises off the ocean.

Warm, moist air rises off the ocean.

Winds push the air up the mountains. The air cools as it rises.

Winds push the air up the mountains. The air cools as it rises.

Moisture in the air condenses into clouds. It falls as rain.

Moisture in the air condenses into clouds. It falls as rain.

Dry air descends on the other side of the mountains.

Dry air descends on the other side of the mountains.

Think: How might geography influence the climate where you live?

Think: How might geography influence the climate where you live?

Protecting Bears

Understanding the habits of bears in the area will help people protect them. For example, scientists want to know when and where the bears hunt fish. As climate change warms rivers and oceans in the region, it could become harder for fish there to survive.  

Proposed oil pipelines are another threat to the rainforest. These huge pipes would carry oil from one area to another. But building the pipelines would bring construction and truck traffic to the area. Both are dangerous for bears and other animals. And once a pipeline is built, any oil spills could have devastating effects on the whole forest. 

Parts of the Great Bear Rainforest are already protected. Construction and logging aren’t allowed in most of the forest. Scientists and Kitasoo/Xai’xais people work together to make rules that help both bears and people in the region. 

But climate change and development are still big concerns, says Service. “These animals rely on both a healthy ocean and land environment,” she says.

Scientists want to learn about spirit bears’ habits. That will help better protect them. For example, when and where do the bears hunt fish? Climate change is warming rivers and oceans in the area. It could become harder for fish there to survive.

The building of oil pipelines is another threat. These huge pipes would carry oil from one area to another. But they’d bring machinery and truck traffic too. Both are a danger to bears and other animals. There could be oil spills once a pipeline is built. Oil spills could harm the whole forest.

Parts of the Great Bear Rainforest are protected. Most construction and logging isn’t allowed. Scientists and Kitasoo/Xai’xais work together to make these rules. They aim to help both bears and people in the area.

But climate change and development are still big concerns, says Service. “These animals rely on both a healthy ocean and land environment,” she says.

Make It Rain

Does temperature affect rain clouds?

Step 3

Observe

When moist air rises off the ocean, it cools. The water condenses into clouds, then can fall as rain. Scientists are concerned that warming oceans will affect places like the Great Bear Rainforest.

When moist air rises off the ocean, it cools. The water condenses into clouds, then can fall as rain. Scientists are concerned that warming oceans will affect places like the Great Bear Rainforest.

Ask a Research Question

How does the temperature of an ocean affect the formation of rain clouds?

How does the temperature of an ocean affect the formation of rain clouds?

Form a Hypothesis Based on This Question

Where will more condensation form: over cool water or hot water?

Where will more condensation form: over cool water or hot water?

Materials

• baking pan
• two same-size jars
• measuring cup
• room-temperature water
• hot water
• red and blue food coloring
• two 6-by-6-inch pieces of plastic wrap
• two ice cubes
• tongs
• paper towel
• pencil and paper

• baking pan 
• two same-size jars 
• measuring cup 
• room-temperature water 
• hot water 
• red and blue food coloring 
• two 6-by-6-inch pieces of plastic wrap 
• two ice cubes 
• tongs 
• paper towel
• pencil and paper

Procedure

1. Place both jars in the baking pan. Measure 100 mL (about 1/2 cup) of room-temperature water into the first jar. Add a drop of blue food coloring. This jar represents a cool ocean. 

2. Measure 100 mL of hot water into the other jar. Add a drop of red food coloring. This represents a warmer ocean.

3. Cover each jar tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. Use tongs to place an ice cube on top of each jar. The ice will cool the air in the jars.

4. Wait five minutes. Gently move the ice cubes to the pan and use a paper towel to soak up any water on top of the jars.

5. Observe both jars. Is there condensation on the plastic? (Hint: Look for fog or droplets.) Draw what you see in each jar. Label your drawings “cool” and “warm.” Then put the ice cubes back on each jar.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until 20 minutes have passed.

1. Place both jars in the baking pan. Measure 100 mL (about 1/2 cup) of room-temperature water into the first jar. Add a drop of blue food coloring. This jar represents a cool ocean. 

2. Measure 100 mL of hot water into the other jar. Add a drop of red food coloring. This represents a warmer ocean.

3. Cover each jar tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. Use tongs to place an ice cube on top of each jar. The ice will cool the air in the jars.

4. Wait five minutes. Gently move the ice cubes to the pan and use a paper towel to soak up any water on top of the jars.

5. Observe both jars. Is there condensation on the plastic? (Hint: Look for fog or droplets.) Draw what you see in each jar. Label your drawings “cool” and “warm.” Then put the ice cubes back on each jar.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until 20 minutes have passed.

Results

How much condensation formed in each jar? How quickly did it form? Summarize your observations.

How much condensation formed in each jar? How quickly did it form? Summarize your observations.

Conclusions

1. Which jar formed more condensation? Why do you think that is?

2. Based on your results, how do you think a warming ocean might affect rain clouds?

3. Think about the spirit bears’ habitat. How might a warmer ocean affect the bears?

1. Which jar formed more condensation? Why do you think that is?

2. Based on your results, how do you think a warming ocean might affect rain clouds?

3. Think about the spirit bears’ habitat. How might a warmer ocean affect the bears?

Make It Rain

Does temperature affect rain clouds?

Step 3

Observe

When moist air rises off the ocean, it cools. The water condenses into clouds, then can fall as rain. Scientists are concerned that warming oceans will affect places like the Great Bear Rainforest.

When moist air rises off the ocean, it cools. The water condenses into clouds, then can fall as rain. Scientists are concerned that warming oceans will affect places like the Great Bear Rainforest.

Ask a Research Question

How does the temperature of an ocean affect the formation of rain clouds?

How does the temperature of an ocean affect the formation of rain clouds?

Form a Hypothesis Based on This Question

Where will more condensation form: over cool water or hot water?

Where will more condensation form: over cool water or hot water?

Materials

• baking pan
• two same-size jars
• measuring cup
• room-temperature water
• hot water
• red and blue food coloring
• two 6-by-6-inch pieces of plastic wrap
• two ice cubes
• tongs
• paper towel
• pencil and paper

• baking pan 
• two same-size jars 
• measuring cup 
• room-temperature water 
• hot water 
• red and blue food coloring 
• two 6-by-6-inch pieces of plastic wrap 
• two ice cubes 
• tongs 
• paper towel
• pencil and paper

Procedure

1. Place both jars in the baking pan. Measure 100 mL (about 1/2 cup) of room-temperature water into the first jar. Add a drop of blue food coloring. This jar represents a cool ocean. 

2. Measure 100 mL of hot water into the other jar. Add a drop of red food coloring. This represents a warmer ocean.

3. Cover each jar tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. Use tongs to place an ice cube on top of each jar. The ice will cool the air in the jars.

4. Wait five minutes. Gently move the ice cubes to the pan and use a paper towel to soak up any water on top of the jars.

5. Observe both jars. Is there condensation on the plastic? (Hint: Look for fog or droplets.) Draw what you see in each jar. Label your drawings “cool” and “warm.” Then put the ice cubes back on each jar.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until 20 minutes have passed.

1. Place both jars in the baking pan. Measure 100 mL (about 1/2 cup) of room-temperature water into the first jar. Add a drop of blue food coloring. This jar represents a cool ocean. 

2. Measure 100 mL of hot water into the other jar. Add a drop of red food coloring. This represents a warmer ocean.

3. Cover each jar tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. Use tongs to place an ice cube on top of each jar. The ice will cool the air in the jars.

4. Wait five minutes. Gently move the ice cubes to the pan and use a paper towel to soak up any water on top of the jars.

5. Observe both jars. Is there condensation on the plastic? (Hint: Look for fog or droplets.) Draw what you see in each jar. Label your drawings “cool” and “warm.” Then put the ice cubes back on each jar.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until 20 minutes have passed.

Results

How much condensation formed in each jar? How quickly did it form? Summarize your observations.

How much condensation formed in each jar? How quickly did it form? Summarize your observations.

Conclusions

1. Which jar formed more condensation? Why do you think that is?

2. Based on your results, how do you think a warming ocean might affect rain clouds?

3. Think about the spirit bears’ habitat. How might a warmer ocean affect the bears?

1. Which jar formed more condensation? Why do you think that is?

2. Based on your results, how do you think a warming ocean might affect rain clouds?

3. Think about the spirit bears’ habitat. How might a warmer ocean affect the bears?

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