Campaign To Red List the Kermode Bear
- by: Patrick Morgan
- recipient: Gary Allport, Senior Conservation Policy Advisor, International Union for the Conservation of Nature
The Kermode bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) is a rare and elusive subspecies of the North American black bear in which approximately one in every 10 bears is white or cream-coloured. The Kermode bear is endemic only to the unique temperate rainforest region off the Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada. Biologists estimate a population of 1,200 kermode bears, of which less than 200 are white phased. These white phased bears are known locally as "spirit bears"
The kermode bear faces extinction due to habitat loss as a result of logging and mismanagement; restricted range; low and declining population numbers and hybridization with mainland subspecies of black bear which do not carry the unique genetics that produce the rare white "spirit" bear. Under the provisions of Canada's Species At Risk Act which became a law in June 2003, the kermode bear meets all requirements to be listed as endangered. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is federal Cabinet that decides whether a species should get legal protection under the Act. U. a. kermodei meets all of the provisions under the Eligibility of a Candidate Species and needs further protection to ensure this unique subspecies' survival. However, COSEWIC does not feel that it is necessary to reassess these populations...
Despite the provisions under the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement which was declared Feb of 2006, The kermode bear is still granted no legal protection and habitat destruction continues making the future for this genetically rare subspecies grim. I believe that it is necessary to warrant protection and grant the status as Endangered (E) - A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction, so further research and management can be done in order to preserve this most valuable ambassador of the Great Bear Rain Forest.
This is their very last hope, and they need your help....
Please urge The IUCN to ensure the preservation of the rare white Spirit Bear and this gorgeous boreal rainforest habitat by supporting this campaign.
Thank you!
For More Information please visit the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition website at www.spiritbearyouth.org. Although there is no affiliation between this petition and The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition, their website provides a lot of great information.
Please also sign Campaign to Protect the Great Bear Rainforest Petition
IUCN Species Survival Commission:
The elusive and rare Kermode bear Ursus americanus kermodei of British Columbia is in dire need of your protection. Biologists estimate a population of 1,200 kermode bears, of which less then 400 are white phased.
The kermode bear faces extinction due to habitat loss, restricted range, and hybridization with mainland species of black bear which do not carry the unique genetics that produce the rare white "spirit" bear.
Protection of this species is needed to further study and investigate the genetic uniqueness of populations containing the white phase, and to ascertain levels of gene flow among the kermode populations. Your efforts have already help preserved The Louisiana Black Bear Ursus americanus luteolus which qualified for protection in 1992. The kermode bear warrants that same protection.
These bears are a valuable source for learning and are great ambassadors for their kind. This is their very last hope, and they need our help.
Please assure us that the IUCN is taking steps to put these protections in place for the preservation of this most rare and beautiful spirit bear.
thank you!
Sign PetitionSign PetitionThe elusive and rare Kermode bear Ursus americanus kermodei of British Columbia is in dire need of your protection. Biologists estimate a population of 1,200 kermode bears, of which less then 400 are white phased.
The kermode bear faces extinction due to habitat loss, restricted range, and hybridization with mainland species of black bear which do not carry the unique genetics that produce the rare white "spirit" bear.
Protection of this species is needed to further study and investigate the genetic uniqueness of populations containing the white phase, and to ascertain levels of gene flow among the kermode populations. Your efforts have already help preserved The Louisiana Black Bear Ursus americanus luteolus which qualified for protection in 1992. The kermode bear warrants that same protection.
These bears are a valuable source for learning and are great ambassadors for their kind. This is their very last hope, and they need our help.
Please assure us that the IUCN is taking steps to put these protections in place for the preservation of this most rare and beautiful spirit bear.
thank you!
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