A photographer has recently witnessed an extremely rare sighting while on a trip in the Canadian wilderness. Alexander Ley – a 24-year-old wildlife photographer – was exploring the Gribbell Island, Canada when he spotted a white Kermode bear.
The rare creature, also known as the white spirit bear is one of the less than 400 Kermode bears that live in the world, all of them in British Columbia. These magnificent animals are a subspecies of the American black bear, but they have a white coat caused by a rare gene, responsible for their melanism.
The Germany-based photographer has spotted the impressive creature while fishing in a river, deep in the wilderness. Of course Alexander was more than excited when realized how lucky he is to witness such a rare sighting.
“I was on the look out to photograph all different type of bear, and saw a few black bears pass me by,” the 24-year-old photographer told CaterNews. ” Suddenly I saw a white creature appear and walk right towards me – I then realised that it was a Kermode bear.”
Even a breathtaking experience, Alexander did not picked the place randomly as islands of Gribbell is the home of the most white spirit bears. According to locals one in ten bears posses that regressive gene that gives them the distinctive white-cream color.
“It was an unforgettable experience to be so close to this species of bear, and it took me completely by surprise,” Alexander said. The bear caught on camera by Alexander is known among the local community as “Boss.” And it’s easy to understand why he got the reputation of a very strong, dominant male.
h/t: caternews
