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October 5, 2012

A spirit bear, also known as the Kermode bear,

PaulNicklen1.jpg

in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest, on the British Columbia Coast between Vancouver Island and Southeast Alaska. That's precisely where Paul Nicklen took these amazing shots for National Geographic.
According to scientists, the white fur is triggered by Kermodism, a recessive mutation at the MC1R gene, the same gene associated with red hair and fair skin in humans. To be born white, a bear must inherit the mutation from both parents. The parents don't necessarily have to be white, they just need to pass on the recessive gene. It's not uncommon for white bears to be born to black parents. -- Gorgeous Black Bear with Spirited White Fur - My Modern Metropolis

Posted by gerardvanderleun at October 5, 2012 3:10 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Nice lookin' bear. Sumbitch'll still eat your ass if he gets a chance.

JWM

Posted by: jwm at October 5, 2012 11:03 PM

Bears can be racist too?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 6, 2012 5:02 AM

Was paul Nicklen wearing the appropriate set of dinner bells whilst making these photos?

Posted by: Peccable at October 6, 2012 7:16 AM

That's beautiful, beautiful country. Take the BC ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert for a quick (i.e. 24 hour) look. And, stick around Prince Rupert for a couple of days. It's one of the best kept secrets out there.

Posted by: BillH at October 6, 2012 8:21 AM

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