There is no such thing as a ‘spirit bear’-those are just a white variation of the garden variety Black Bear and are quite common on the mid coast but none are to be found on the island. For wildlife viewing the best time is anytime but the hottest days of high summer, the best place is the North Island.
Where are the spirit bears in Vancouver Island?
Spirit bears live in the Great Bear Rainforest year-round. The best time for the opportunity to view a spirit bear is after the rains have come in autumn. This means you should plan to come in September or October.
Where can I see spirit bears in BC?
For the average traveller like me, there are only two ways to experience the GBRF and search for the rare and elusive spirit bear. One is through a small number of cruise-based adventure companies. The other is through the land-based Spirit Bear Lodge in Klemtu.
What Island do spirit bears live?
Most Spirit Bears live on Princess Royal and Gribbell Islands along the rainforest coast of British Columbia. They are considered a subspecies of black bears called Kermode bears (Ursus americanus kermodeii).
What kind of bear are on Vancouver Island?
black bears
As far as anyone can remember, or scientists can determine, only black bears have lived on Vancouver Island. But recently, grizzlies have been sighted far and wide on northern Vancouver Island and the knot of smaller islands that press close against the coast between Port Hardy and Campbell River.
Are there any grizzlies on Vancouver Island?
Grizzly bears do not live year round on Vancouver Island however you can go on one of the bear watching trips to view the mainland Grizzlies. There are almost 14000 Grizzly Bears in British Columbia and many coastal Grizzlies feed along the shorelines for shellfish as well as during salmon season.
Where are the most bears on Vancouver Island?
Tofino and Ucluelet
The west coast of Vancouver Island is major black bear territory, with the Pacific Rim National Park as one of their main stomping grounds. Plenty of tours depart from both Tofino and Ucluelet until about October.
Is Great Bear Rainforest on Vancouver Island?
The Great Bear Rainforest extends from the Discovery Islands in the south to the BC-Alaska boundary in the north, it includes all offshore islands within this range except Vancouver Island and the archipelago of Haida Gwaii.
Why is the spirit bear so rare?
Why are spirit bears so rare? One in ten black bears is pale, and to produce pale cubs both parents – white or black – must carry the gene that results in the white or cream-coloured coat.
Are there black bears on Vancouver Island?
One of the most widely distributed mammals in British Columbia, the black bear is found in forestland across the province. Its natural range includes Vancouver Island and most coastal islands to the north, including the Queen Charlottes (Haida Gwaii).
How rare is a spirit bear?
While most Kermode bears are black, between 100 and 500 fully white individuals exist. The white variant is known as spirit bear, and is most common on three islands in British Columbia (Gribbell, Princess Royal, and Roderick), where they make up 10–20% of the Kermode population.
Can you hunt spirit bears?
They’re a subspecies of the black bear, born white when two dark-furred parents carry an obscure genetic mutation. The British Columbian government estimates there are 400 spirit bears in the province, and hunting them is illegal. (Learn more in National Geographic Magazine’s 2011 feature article “Spirit Bear.”)
Are spirit bears extinct?
CONSERVATION STATUS Spirit bears are endangered. Their dwindling habitat through logging is the biggest threat. HABITAT Dense forests on the coast of British Columbia. LENGTH Males can grow up to 4-6 feet in length, from head to tail when standing on their hind legs.
What is the top predator on Vancouver Island?
Cougars
Cougars are at the top of the food chain, and fierce predators. Although they will normally avoid confrontation with humans, unfortunately, their actions are often unpredictable. There is also little understanding of what might trigger an attack. Children and pets are most likely to be the victim of a cougar attack.
Are there mountain lions on Vancouver Island?
There are an estimated 4000 cougars that live in BC and an estimated 600-800 live on Vancouver Island making it the highest concentration for this mountain lion in North America.
Should I carry bear spray Vancouver Island?
When hiking in BC, it is recommended to carry bear spray. While bear attacks are extremely rare, like a seatbelt, bear spray can save your life. Always carry it in a holster where it is quickly accessible (not in your pack)—and be ready to deploy it in less than two seconds.
Are there any predators on Vancouver Island?
Black bear sightings are common on Vancouver Island during spring and summer, as the region is home to around 7,000 black bears (but zero grizzly bears). Although black bears prefer wooded areas near rivers, they sometimes make their way into residential neighbourhoods and busy campsites in search of food.
Are there black wolves on Vancouver Island?
The Vancouver Island wolf is of medium sized, measuring roughly 26 to 32 inches high, 4 to 5 feet from nose to end of tail, and weighing 65 to 90 pounds. It is usually a mix of grey, brown, and black. Occasionally, they are seen pure white.
Are there alligators on Vancouver Island?
They aren’t very common. And you won’t see them out and about until mid to late spring when the weather heats up. They stay in a cool, dry hibernaculum underground.
Are there bears in Tofino?
The Vancouver Island black bear is slightly darker in colour and larger than the mainland bear and is considered one of 6 subspecies in British Columbia. In Tofino we see Black Bears on our Bear Tours. Bear Watching Tours are on a boat about 20 minutes from the Tofino harbour, behind Meares Island.
What time of day are bears most active in BC?
dawn and dusk
Travel during daylight hours. Bears are most active at dawn and dusk. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.