A rare white grizzly bear has been sighted by the side of the road in a B.C. park.
Oly Talens was driving through Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies on their way to Takakkaw Falls when a flash of white through the trees forced them to pull over and pull out a video camera.
Turns out, the animal, named Nakoda by locals, has been seen before in Yoho and Banff national parks, but not very often.
Parks Canada has previously said the bear is not albino, but actually a natural colour phase variation that makes it white.
The animal, believed to be about three and a half years old, can be seen in the video with its brown sibling.
“They said seeing a grizzly up close in the wild is lucky, but two at the same time — and the (second) one is a rare white bear — is like winning a lotto ticket,” Talens said.
Parks Canada had to put out a statement following other sightings of the unusual bear, reminding the public to consider not stopping if they see wildlife as they travel through the parks, or, if safe to stop, to always stay in their vehicles and give the animal space.
“Bears and other wildlife that become comfortable around people and roadsides are at greater risk of being struck by a vehicle,” the agency said.
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