Watch the Spirit Bear as he sleeps.

British Columbia’s symbolic Spirit Bear can now, not only be found hibernating in his den, but also on his own live feed at his own personal website, BCSpiritBear.com. At this time of the year, there may not be much to see except the occasional toss and turn, but the fact that the entire world can now peak in on this rare bear in his natural habitat, is really an amazing opportunity for anyone who may be interested.

CBC News published an article, Hibernating bear stars in webcam, which originally brought the story to attention.  Comparing the project to that of the Eagle Nest that also is broadcast over the World Wide Web, this is an excellent resource for an inside look into the workings of Mother Nature and a species of animal we seldom get to closely view.  In CBC’s article, they report that:
 

“…A couple from the community of Rosswood installed the webcam after they discovered the den while hiking early last year…

…It took about a year of technical challenges before they managed to get the camera working and live-streaming video onto the internet…”

Source:http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/18/bc-kermode-bear-cam.html#ixzz0g1WJXCam

There are several myths that exist involving the lustrous Spirit Bear, also known as the Ghost or White Bear that are encompassed within the beliefs of British Columbia’s aboriginal peoples. Although, for every member of British Columbia this beautiful version of the Black Bear is a significant symbol of our province and the history of our natural land. BCSpiritBear.com has published quite a bit of information about this magnificent bear, since been named Apollo by the Rosswood couple. Apollo’s website, featuring the rare sleeping bear explains that:

“…This rare White Bear is actually a Black Bear! Scientists are actively studying this rare genetic trait that is possibly due to a recessive gene, or could be due to a result of a concentration of gene in a given area. The Spirit Bear is not an albino...

...Scientists estimate there are 1,200 black and white Kermode bears in the coast area that stretches from around the northern tip of Vancouver Island northwards to the Alaska panhandle. On Gribbell Island, up to 30 per cent of the bears can be white while on the larger Princess Royal Island, about 10 per cent have the white coat…”

Source: http://bcspiritbear.com/

This is an incredible opportunity for nature watchers everywhere to see this incredibly rare bear in his own environment. Watchers must also keep in mind that the warm spring temperatures British Columbia has been experiencing may also rouse our new online neighbor a bit early this early, so keep checking back to see what Apollo is up to…