..Guided Kayak Tours Great Bear Rain Forest
Great Bear (Spirt Bear) The History
The Great Bear Rain Forest has some of the highest concentrations of Grizzly Bears in North America and of course its home to the rare Kermode Bear or as the First Nations say the Spirit Bear. And what would a Spirit Bear be if it was not entangled in Folklore and legends and for the Kermode bear it is no exception. Some say that the Raven created the Kermode Bear at the end of the ice age to serve as a reminder.
However one this that is not Folklore is that this area known for the Great Bear Forest deserves protection from being logged. While Government has designated areas to protection there is still the real threat that considerable portions of one or the worlds few remaining Rainforest could be logged at some point.
Originally the Kermode Bear which was discovered in the early 1900's was thought to be a separate bear species, however in 1928 it was re-classified as a geographic race of the black bear. These bears colour ranges from Reddish - Gray - Yellow - and even orange. Of course there are also those Kermode Bears that are white.
Scientists believe there is such a high concentration of the white coat Kermode bears on these islands because they are geographically isolated from other black bear populations. Scientists estimate there are 1,200 black and white Kermode bears in the coast area that stretches from around the northern tip of Vancouver Island northwards to the Alaska panhandle.
White coat Kermode bears are found most frequently on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island, situated between the coastal mainland and the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Discovery Expeditions - provides the finest wilderness and kayaking guided tours, day trips in British Columbia. With more than 25 years in the guiding business along the coast of British Columbia we have the experience and knowledge to make this wilderness sea kayaking vacation a success.