TERRACE, B.C. – The repeated roadside sightings of a rare Kermode bear cub and its family near Terrace have sparked a wave of excitement online, but have also triggered serious warnings from conservation officials concerned for the animals’ safety.
The cub, a white-furred variant of a black bear also known as a Spirit Bear, has been spotted with its mother and two black-furred siblings along local highways in recent weeks. Photos and videos have been shared widely on social media, prompting many residents to go out in search of a glimpse of the rare animal.
This has created a debate between those celebrating the unique sighting and those who fear the increased attention will put the bears at risk.
The BC Conservation Officer Service has amplified those concerns, issuing a public warning that urges people to stay in their vehicles and move on quickly. Officials stress that any action that gets the bears comfortable with human presence—from stopping for long periods to making noise or offering food—can lead to habituation.
“It’s natural for people to be curious if they see a white bear on the side of the road, I understand,” a sergeant with the local conservation officer service said. “We just encourage people that if they see the bear… they move on fairly quickly.”
Once a bear becomes habituated and starts to approach people or vehicles, it is often deemed a public safety risk and must be euthanized by the service. This outcome, officials say, would be particularly tragic for one of the province’s most iconic and rare animals.
Local wildlife photographers, who spend countless hours trying to capture images of these bears, share the concern. One Terrace-based photographer noted that while she was thrilled to accidentally spot the cub, she worries about the impact of its newfound fame. She explained that she uses powerful zoom lenses to appear close while maintaining a respectful distance, and is frustrated when she sees others getting dangerously close with their phones, stressing the animals.
The message from both photographers and officials is the same: enjoy the incredible sighting from a safe distance inside your vehicle, take a quick photo, and then drive away. Giving the bears space is the only way to ensure they, and the public, stay safe.
