Temper Reinforce

TEMPERATE RAINFOREST

– The spirit bears have survived for centuries by maintaining the equilibrium that allows for the recessive white gene to prosper and its habitat to function. Dilution of the gene pool or a loss of genetic diversity would result in a dramatic decrease of the population. 

There are three main reasons behind the decreasing population of spirit bears:

1. Trophy hunting

2. Development and decreasing protected area

3. Lack of salmon to eat

These factors often change the population dynamics of black bears in an ecosystem, and as the population of spirit bears depends on the population of black bears, they are all hugely problematic.

Scientist believe a series of unintended events would likely occur that would disrupt the delicate balance that produces the unique white gene and lead to the gradual extinction of the spirit bear.

1. TROPHY HUNTING

hunt the black Kermode bear(and spirit bear)

• – There is a ban on hunting spirit bears in British Columbia within 98% of its range, which includes protected areas. However, while it is illegal to hunt the white Kermode bear, it is legal to hunt the black Kermode bears that carry and produce the unique white fur gene.
• This is a direct and very obvious threat to the survival of the subspecies. A ban on hunting in protected areas must be extended to all bears in order to maintain the genetic diversity of the population.

2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST

lodge_in_protected_area

• Developing BC’s rainforests is a serious threat to spirit bears. If development is allowed, even in just a third of the ecosystem, even with strict environmental standards in place, spirit bears face an uncertain future.

“You can’t just start marketing spirit-bear tours and come traipsing up here,” Sterritt complains of several outfitters who do just that.

That’s how you watch bears at the one existing accommodation on Princess Royal Island. The King Pacific Lodge is a luxury inn on a barge moored in a quiet bay. A wildlife biologist guides guests to bear-watching sites.

3. LOSS OF FOOD SOURCE

loss of salmon

– A healthy population of salmon is needed to sustain the spirit bear, so the loss of salmon as a result of overfishing, loss of habitat, or landslides has devastating consequences for the spirit bear population.