People hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare Kermode bear, or spirit bear, near Terrace and Kitimat are being urged to stay in their vehicles and avoid actions that could put the animals at risk.
Recent social media posts showing Kermode bears along the highway and forest roads in the area have sparked public interest, with BC Conservation Officer Micha Kneller noting the posts are prompting more people to head out in search of the animals.
鈥淚 know people want to go and see them. And that鈥檚 fine, but the more people that do that, the more chance there is that somebody may feed one of those bears and then that鈥檚 not going to be good for the bear,鈥� Kneller said.
The Kermode bear, which carries cultural and ecological significance in B.C.鈥檚 coastal rainforests, is a rare subspecies of the American black bear. While most have black fur, a small portion鈥攅stimated at just 100 to 500 of the total 400 to 1,200 individuals鈥攃arry a recessive gene that results in the iconic white or cream-coloured coat.
Kneller stressed that any attempt to interact with these bears, especially by offering food or baiting them closer for a better photograph, is dangerous.
鈥淭hey become so habituated that they start approaching vehicles to seek a food reward,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey either end up climbing on vehicles, opening their hands in the windows of cars and things like that or they move to a town and start approaching people鈥檚 houses.鈥�
Once habituated, bears are at higher risk of being struck by vehicles or involved in altercations with people鈥攐utcomes that can lead to the animals being euthanized.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the last thing that we want to do鈥攅uthanize any bear, but especially a Kermode bear鈥攋ust because people have been careless,鈥� Kneller said.
The public is reminded that under B.C.鈥檚 Wildlife Act, it is illegal to feed or attract dangerous wildlife, including bears. Violations can result in fines of up to $100,000 or one year in jail.
鈥淪tay in the vehicle, keep the windows rolled up, take your pictures and move on,鈥� Kneller said.
鈥淭here鈥檚 more and more people going out to view them, and that's just bumping up the likelihood and the chance of a conflict.鈥�
