Bears of British Columbia

Photo by Judy Heller

There are several kinds of bears that a traveler will see in British Columbia and it helps to have a knowledge of the names as they are sometimes used interchangeably, though they differ in size and shape:

Black Bears

The black bear is the smaller of the British Columbian bear, though it still weighs over 350 pounds and is found in the colors of brown, grey and cream. A black bear can be distinguished from others as they lack a large shoulder hump and their profile is that of a straight head and snout. The claws are black and short, giving them an exceptional ability to climb trees.

Kermode

For hundreds of years, the First Nation tribes of Kitasoo and Gitga’at told tales of a snow white spirt bear that wandered the Great Bear Rainforest. In the damp misty fog of the forest, an image of a ghostly bear would appear, stark against the contrast of the forest greenery and then quickly recede, shrouded by the mist. They said the spirit bear was created by Raven, the creator of the rainforest, to remind the people of the time when ice covered the land and food was scarce. The rest of the nation thought it was a lovely tale until the early 1990s when two filmmakers stunned the world with images of the spirit bear called Kermode. The Kermode is a sub-species of a black bear and is found mainly in British Columbia and in particular in the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the largest coastal, temperate rainforests in the world. The bear is not a polar nor is it an albino, but rather this bear is born to black bear parents but has inherited a recessive gene from each one, rendering it a milky, vanilla white. First Tribes never hunted this bear and attached such reverence some would barely speak of the bear out loud. Today in the Great Bear Rainforest, if the spirit bear decides to reveal himself, you will be blessed with dazzling photographs and memories.

Photo by Jon Wilson

Brown Bears

Adult brown bears are massive, powerful, the top of the food chain and they rule the forests of British Columbia. Browns are distinguishable from blacks by their large shoulder hump which gives them the strength to dig for roots and turn over fallen trees and logs. Despite their bulk they are very agile and can run up to speeds of 30 miles per hour. Like blacks they can be found with coats that range from cinnamon to blonde.

Grizzly

All grizzly bears are brown bears, but not all brown bears are grizzles. They are smaller than the Kodiaks and coastal bears of Alaska and can be found roaming the interior of Alaska and Canada and down into Montana and Glacier National Park and Yellowstone Park. In Canada, brown bears are referred to as grizzlies.

Up Close and Personal

While popular lore has bears lurking around every tree trunk in British Columbia, they can remain illusive. However, there are some favorite sites to view these creatures in order to take that framable quality photograph or just to spin a few bear-raising tales for the friends back home.

The Great Bear Rainforest

Encompassing over 250 miles along the coast of British Columbia, this 21 million acre temperate forested area is the largest rainforest in North America and is sometimes referred to as the Amazon of the North. This is a wild and magical place that is teeming with cougars, wolves, grizzlies, an abundance of fish and birds and, of course, the Kermode or spirit bear.

Bella Coola

Gateway to the Great Bear Rainforest, this area is also known for their museum quality handiwork from the First Nations Nuxalk people. In September, the bear viewing station in Tweedsmuir Park provides a safe way to get close to bears and has been rated a hidden jewel on Trip Advisor.

Whistler

Whistler has something for everyone in every single season. In summer experience the chance to view Whistler’s famous black bears and cubs in their stunning habitat.

Torino

Torino is a small district on Vancouver Island off of Canada’s west coast. Most whale watching outfitters have ocean-going tours that specialize in seeing bears in their own environment.

Knight Inlet

One of the main inlets of the British Columbia coast and one of the best places to see grizzlies. In spring, when hibernation ends, the famished bears will make their way from dens to the dense grass along the shore. In early or mid-August the salmon will begin their run, making it possible to view one of nature’s amazing feeding rituals.

Stewart

Situated right across from Hyder, Alaska, Stewart’s wilderness is alive with activity from grizzlies and black bears.

Elkford

Elkford boasts a population of almost 3,000 residents and “wilderness remains core to what the community is and wants to be.”

Kitimat

The city of Kitimat is a north coast community with the Kitmat River nearby, as well as lakes and streams with stunning scenery. This town is unique because it embraces an eco-friendly concept in its city planning, as the entire community is connected with a series of bike and walking paths through green spaces.

Terrace

Located within the Skeena River Valley and 37 miles from the ocean, Terrace is in a moderate weather zone that allows the growing of fruit trees along with lots of opportunity for bear viewing. The bears thrive in this mild climate and lush forest growth.

Haida Gwali

Haida Gwaii is an area rich in history and outdoor adventure with a very unique and distinct flora and fauna, which gives the islands the nickname “the Galapagos of the north”. From wind swept beaches to ancient Haida village sites to mountain trails, there is always something worth exploring.

Kgutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary

In 1994, this sanctuary was designated a protected park specifically for grizzly bears and includes a very healthy and established bear population.

There are many ways to view bears in British Columbia, from just driving down the highway, to hikes and treks into moss covered trails and otherworldly forests however, the safest way would be to book a tour with a guided bear viewing company. These guides are from the area and make the tour enjoyable with their rich knowledge of the land and animals.