How extraordinary! The rare sight of a pure white bear cub playing with its black bear mother has scientists both fascinated and concerned.
When is a Black Bear Not Really Black? Meet the Rare White-Furred Cub of British Columbia
On a recent outing in British Columbia, a rare sighting captured the attention of wildlife enthusiasts—a black bear cub with cream-colored fur was spotted playing on Whistler-Blackcomb mountain with its mother. This five-month-old cub, despite being a black bear by species, boasts a coat that’s anything but typical.
Arthur De Jong, an environmental planning manager, photographed the unusual cub last Thursday. Its light-colored fur has left scientists puzzled, prompting them to investigate the reasons behind its rare appearance. One theory suggests the cub might be a Kermode, or “spirit” bear, a white variant of the North American black bear native to Canada. However, the lack of a black nose and other pigmentation has led others to speculate that the cub could be an albino.
To confirm albinism, biologists are eager to examine the cub’s eyes, as pink-blue coloration would be a telltale sign. De Jong, who observed the cub, described its fur as having a “caramel, light, sort of brownish sheen.” He also mentioned that experts believe the cub’s unique coloration could result from recessive genes inherited from both parents, noting that the mother bear is a typical black bear.
Whistler bear expert Michael Allen, who has been studying the area’s bear population for 23 years, expressed his astonishment at the sighting. “I’ve seen cubs ranging from black to reddish-brown, chocolate-brown, and even blonde after summer bleaching, but never a cub with such light, almost white fur in this population,” he wrote in his daily bear viewing report.
Unfortunately, the future of this rare cub is uncertain. There is a 50 percent chance it may not survive its first year, with the danger of being killed by its own father. During mating season, male bears have been known to kill cubs to prompt the mother to mate again, as she will not mate while nursing.
As this rare cub continues to explore the mountains of Whistler-Blackcomb, its presence adds a touch of mystery and wonder to the natural beauty of British Columbia, offering a glimpse into the diverse and sometimes surprising world of wildlife.
How extraordinary! The rare sight of a pure white bear cub playing with its black bear mother has scientists both fascinated and concerned.
