It is a bit ironic that black bears and brown bears are named for color. Black bears have the potentiality to be a host of colors, including brown, black, and cinnamon, while brown bears, or grizzly bears, can appear everywhere from blonde to almost black. In rare cases, grizzly bears can resemble polar bears appearing almost purely white. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, this just comes down to genetics.
A recessive gene can cause white coloration in both grizzly bears and black bears. If both parents have the gene, then a cub could appear lighter in color. Across Banff, Yoho and Kootenay national parks in Canada, there are an estimated 8.7 grizzly bears per 1000 km, a stable population according to Parks Canada. With those numbers, it doesn’t seem unlikely that white grizzlies would pop up every once in a while, as appears in this video.
Earlier this summer, a white grizzly was killed in Yoho National Park after it was struck and killed by a vehicle along the Trans-Canada Highway, just about 12 hours after her cubs were killed on the same road. Parks Canada enforces reduced speed limits along the roads in Yoho National Park in addition to requiring that wildlife is always given space. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and obey speed limits to reduce the risk of deadly collisions with bears.
Parks Canada Grizzly Bear Guidelines:
Educate yourself! Parks Canada teaches bear safety to visitors, including how to keep a clean campsite, how to use bear spray, and how to travel safely in bear country. Do your part to keep bears safe:
Take the Pledge
• I will store my food and scented items safely, and never feed bears: Bears need to find their own natural food sources. Feeding bears, littering, or leaving scented items or food unattended, attracts them to human use areas. This is very dangerous. Dispose of recycling, trash, and food in designated areas. It is illegal to feed bears!
• I will give bears space: Bears can lose their natural fear of humans after repeated interactions. If you see bears on the road: Slow down, stay in your vehicle and move on. Chance bear encounters can happen anywhere. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
• I will drive carefully and obey speed limits: Slow down to prevent deadly collisions with bears. In high-risk areas, no stopping zones are used to protect motorists and bears. Respect roadside signage, and only park in designated areas to avoid blocking traffic.
• I will keep my dog on leash: To a bear, your pet is potentially a threat or prey. An aggressive response from a bear could put you or your pet in danger.