2004 was declared the "Year of the Bear" in Terrace - without a doubt a fitting description when one takes into account that this community is working really hard to adopt the Kermode Bear as the official symbol of the Olympic Wintergames in 2010.
The kermode bear displayed in the glass box to the left was a very prominent member of the community of Terrace - until the son of a local veterinary shot him. The kermode bear is a very rare sub species of the black bear and it is a tremendous loss for the region of Terrace to loose such a magnificent creature. What was meant to be fun for a single person is a desaster for all of us who love wildlife.
Since the species is so rare the Department of Fisheries and Oceans confiscated the dead animal and handed it over to a taxidermist. For years it was stored in a DFO back office - not accessible for the public.
The KERMODE BEAR FISHING LODGE put a lot of effort into lobbying for the release of the stuffed animal. We wanted to create at least a happy end for tourists. Therefore, we collected donations from local businesses to build a glass display for the bear. Today tourists from all over the world are greeted by the kermode bear when they arrive at Terrace Regional Airport.
