Photographer’s Journey Deep into Candian Rainforest to Discover Uncommon Spirit Bear

In 2011, as a youngster, photographer Jack Plant encountered a canopy of National Geographic that includes the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. Captivated by the picture — and the story of a uncommon white bear residing in one of many world’s final untouched wildernesses — it was a life-defining second.

“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.”

Over a decade later, that fascination has develop into Spirit of the Great Bear, an immersive journey into the rainforest and the delicate world of the spirit bear, the elusive white-furred Kermode bear. With as few as 100 remaining, it stands as a strong image of each the richness and vulnerability of the pure 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.”

Plant enlisted the assistance of First Nations communities, who generously shared conventional information with him. Plant was adopted by Hereditary Chief Charlie Mason of Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation locally 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.”

Spirit of the Great Bear options photographic accounts of Plant’s wild and memorable encounters with the white bears, in addition to with different extraordinary species discovered within the Great Bear Rainforest, together with 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 obtainable for pre-order now.

Image credit: Photographs from Spirit of the Great Bear © 2026 Jack Plant. Reprinted with permission from Figure 1 Publishing.