Unusual white bear cub observed in Altai Krai

In late August 2024, in the vicinity of the Tigireksky Nature Reserve, observers captured a brown bear with offspring that had an unusual coloration. The photographs were published on the reserve«s official website.

The bear herself had the typical brown fur color for her species. However, her cubs drew particular attention. One of the cubs had a noticeable white spot on its shoulder, while the second was almost entirely white. At the same time, their eyes and nose retained the usual dark color, which ruled out albinism.

Specialists from the Tigireksky Nature Reserve note that such deviations in coloration for brown bears in this region are very rare. They consider leucism to be the most likely explanation for this phenomenon — a genetic characteristic where there is a partial loss of fur pigmentation, while the skin, eyes, and nose remain normal color. This is not albinism, but another form of hereditary color change.

It is worth noting that cases of bears with unusual coloration are not isolated. Similar observations have been recorded in other regions where brown bears live. For example, in 2016, photographs were taken of a bear with a light-colored cub in Kamchatka. Additionally, local residents and hunters from the village of Tigirek have also reported encounters with bears having light fur.