Photographer’s Journey Deep into Candian Rainforest to Find Rare Spirit Bear

Apr 17, 2026

Matt Growcoot

A white bear sits on a mossy rock in a lush green forest, with trees, ferns, and a fallen log nearby. A stream flows in the background, adding to the serene, natural scene. — Jack Plant/Figure 1 Publishing

In 2011, as a teenager, photographer Jack Plant encountered a cover of National Geographic featuring the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. Captivated by the image — and the story of a rare white bear living in one of the world’s last untouched wildernesses — it was a life-defining moment.

“The photograph on that cover is still one of my all-time favorites,” Plant says. “Paul Nicklen was the photographer, and I still thank him today for introducing me to this place. That moment sparked something in me. Over time, it became clear that this rainforest wasn’t just somewhere I wanted to visit, but somewhere I needed to return to, again and again.”

A black bear and a lighter-colored bear stand face to face on a mossy rock beside a rushing river, with a fallen log in the background. — A black bear and a spirit bear argue over salmon. | Jack Plant/Figure 1 Publishing

A light-colored bear swims through greenish water, with bubbles and foam visible on the surface. The bear’s head and upper body are above water as it moves forward. — Spirit bears, also known as Kermode bears, are a subspecies of black bears; they’re not albino.

Over a decade later, that fascination has become Spirit of the Great Bear, an immersive journey into the rainforest and the fragile world of the spirit bear, the elusive white-furred Kermode bear. With as few as 100 remaining, it stands as a powerful symbol of both the richness and vulnerability of the natural world.

“They’re rarer than most people realize,” says Plant. “Personally, I don’t believe there are many more than 50, and even that estimate may be too high. Research is incredibly difficult — how do you study such an elusive animal in such a vast landscape of fjords, inlets, and hidden ecosystems?”

“Many of the spirit bear photos you see online are actually of just two or three well-known bears that frequent specific areas,” he continues. “Finding a new bear is extraordinarily challenging. I’ve spent countless days searching alongside the team at Spirit Bear Lodge, and more often than not, we come up empty-handed. But every so often, we strike gold, and those moments make all the effort worthwhile.”

An elder wearing a traditional robe adorned with decorative buttons and a carved, painted wooden headdress stands in front of a blurred, leafy background. — Chief Heey’maas Ernest Charlie Mason Jr. of Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation in the community of Klemtu.

A person in traditional Indigenous clothing stands on a rock beside a calm lake, surrounded by forested hills and a cloudy sky, with mountains in the distance. — Mercedes Robinson of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation.

A cream-colored bear stands on mossy rocks beside a fast-flowing river, looking across the rushing water with its mouth slightly open.

Plant enlisted the help of First Nations communities, who generously shared traditional knowledge with him. Plant was adopted by Hereditary Chief Charlie Mason of Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation in the community of Klemtu.

“You don’t just walk into this wilderness and spend time with bears,” Plant explains. “The people here know more about the land and its inhabitants than anyone. When you take the time to listen and learn from them, it changes everything, like how you see the animals, how you move through the landscape and how you behave. I’ve come away with extraordinary experiences, yes, but also with friendships, wisdom, and a sense of family that I never expected.”

A wet brown bear sits on the ground in the rain, surrounded by dry grass and plants, holding one paw up to its mouth as if licking or grooming it. — Photographed in Khutze Inlet, British Columbia, Canada. 2019

A humpback whale breaching out of the water, with its pectoral fin raised and water splashing around, set against a blurred forested background. The image is in black and white.

Spirit of the Great Bear features photographic accounts of Plant’s wild and memorable encounters with the white bears, as well as with other extraordinary species found in the Great Bear Rainforest, including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, orcas, and humpback whales.

“If this book inspires even one person to pursue conservation or photography, I’ll consider that a win,” he says. “But my deeper hope is that it reaches the hearts of wild souls — those yearning for a new passion, a new place, or a journey into a world they’ve never experienced before. And ultimately, I hope readers come away understanding that this monumental habitat requires ongoing protection — not just now, but continuously, forever.”

Spirit of the Great Bear is published by Figure 1 available for pre-order now.