Ebony & ivory

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“Ebony & Ivory”

The uniqueness of the rare white spirit bear is that they are actually a true black bear, and not an albino like some people believe. The genetics is from a double recessed gene, meaning that when 2 black bears mate with this gene, they produce a white spirit bear cub.  Since the moms often keep their cubs well hidden for fear of encounter with males, I was very fortunate to see this mom, who the locals refer to as “Strawberry” as she often likes to sleep on the cedar forest floor that stains her fur, bring out her young black cub, they now call “Blackberry.” So obviously this year Strawberry did not mate with a male with the double recessive gene, hence the black cub. Seeing these two together definitely is a sight I will never forget!

 - Stan Masters

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