Chasing the Spirit Bear with Jack Plant

Aug 14, 2026

It is a life-long goal for many wildlife enthusiasts to visit the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, and those lucky enough to visit can only dream of spending as much time there as photographer Jack Plant has. Over the years, Jack has been lucky enough to not only encounter some of the most beautiful animals in their natural habitats, but also some of the rarest, including the elusive Spirit Bear. Earlier this year, Jack compiled his photography collection into one inspiring book, showcasing all that this rare case of untouched nature has to offer. We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Jack about his experiences in the GBR, his passion for photography, the process of putting his new book together, and the communities that supported his journey.

So, tell us a little bit about yourself! How long have you been a photographer, and what did life look like before you picked up the camera?

I’ve been a photographer a few years into my Great Bear Rainforest adventures, which began back in 2014. It just fell into my lap, literally, when my friend Philip Charles gave me his camera to play with. Before that, I was simply a wildlife enthusiast and enjoyed everything natural history. I never thought photography was for me until I was gifted with the access to the rainforest, it was impossible not to document the journey.

And what was it that brought you to the Great Bear Rainforest in the first place?

My first impression of the GBR was when I was 17 studying at Sparsholt College in the U.K, and I came across a National Geographic video about spirit bears. I was obsessed with the idea of seeing one, and about 3 years later, on my birthday, I took a trip out and saw one with my own eyes. After my first visit to the rainforest, the obsession only grew. I wanted to stay for as long as I could, and I did. Photography came a little later once I was given that camera, and that changed the game.

Your latest book, Spirit of the Great Bear, focuses on your work photographing the local and elusive bears of the Great Bear Rainforest, as well as lots of other wildlife. Did you always know nature would be your focus in your photography career?

More so, the focus is on the spirit bears. Grizzlies and black bears, too. But a book like this with the primary focus being spirit bears hasn’t really been done. That’s because they’re so rare and attaining this many photographs of them requires a great deal of time in one place. Of course, there are many other incredible species that live here, from the humpbacks roaming the ocean, to the ravens soaring in the trees. The book exhibits a great number of species, as well as the bears.

Why do you think capturing these wild animals in their natural habitat became so important to you?

Once I began sharing some of my photos, it became clear that the world was hungry for photographs of the wilderness, particularly of spirit bears. I think it was wild for some of the viewers to see a white bear in a forest, something they’ve never seen before. But perhaps it was also a yearn for a connection with nature that a lot of folk are missing from their lives. Either way, I hope that my photographs play a part in inspiring action. For others to go out there and find that our natural world is worth far more than the resources that it can produce.

Do you still remember the first time you saw a Spirit Bear? If so, what was going though your head in that moment?

August 10^th 2014, I remember it well. We were heading home after a day with grizzlies, and one of the other boat passengers started yelling in his thick German accent “Spirit Bear!”… it took a moment before anyone else saw it, and no one believed him. Until it emerged from the foliage, and everyone on the boat couldn’t believe their eyes. We watched it for hours, and when it disappeared into the forest, we went on land and tracked it for a while, picking white hairs off the trees. It was thrilling, and overwhelming – to think how lucky we were that day.

You’ve spent many years working in forests and nature reserves. Has this changed the way you interact with nature in your daily life? Do you see things differently after spending so much time with wildlife?

Of course. I feel as though I’m very in tune with the animal’s behaviours, just with the amount of time I have spent watching them, and in some cases, interacting with them. At home, in Squamish B.C., I tend not to go out looking for bears or other wildlife. They already must deal with a lot of human pollution. It’s not like in the GBR, where most bears haven’t even seen a human before. Habituating them around a heavily populated area is just selfish, and eventually doing so will end up being a death penalty for the bear.

Do you have a favourite image that you’ve captured over the years? Perhaps one with a unique story behind it?

Yes, but you will have to read the book to hear the full story. I was honoured to bring a man into the rainforest with me, who was facing the end of his life. His wish was to see a spirit bear before he died. Spoiler alert: he saw one, and it was a little closer than he expected.

Spirit Bears are often described as rare or even mythical. Is there anything you wish more people knew about them?

They are just as worthy of our attention and protection than every other living being on our planet. Except maybe mosquitos.

Not only do you explore the nature surrounding the rainforest area in your latest book, but you also dive into the connections you made with the local Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation. How important was it for you to feature this indigenous community as part of your story?

The book wouldn’t exist without the indigenous people of the Great Bear Rainforest. Better yet, the Great Bear Rainforest wouldn’t exist without them. It was impossible not to honour the people that I consider guardians. They welcomed me as an ally but taught me so much about living off the land, co-existing with the animals and, honouring nature spiritually as well as ethically.

And what, would you say, were the main lessons you took from working so closely with this group?

A simple quote from Chief Charlie Mason, “Take care of the land, and the land will take care of you.”

What do you want the readers of your book to take from it going forward?

There’s still hope, and there’s still a planet worth fighting for. Use the tools you have to make change, whether it’s a camera, or being a parent that teaches your children to respect and fight for a better planet. If my book inspires one or two people to take a similar journey to mine, I’d be quite satisfied.

Do you have any tips for someone looking to get involved with nature photography?

Pick a subject that is very easy for you to access. Photographer Mark Cawardine taught me this. It could be a squirrel that lives in a tree close to your home, or a robin that feeds on worms in your yard. Find that subject and practice until you have some of the best squirrel photos ever. Then you’ll be prepared to photograph the animals you only get to see once or twice.

And finally, what new projects are you working towards at the moment? Is there anything we should look out for?

I’m still focused on the book. Even though it’s released, the real work is getting it into the homes of the wildlife enthusiasts of the world. So I’ll be hosting a number of exhibitions and talks. What’s next still remains a question, but whatever it is, I’ll welcome the adventure and anyone that wants to follow along.

A huge thank you to Jack for taking the time to chat with us about his work. We're absolutely adding the Great Bear Rainforest to our ever-growing list of dream places to visit, what a magical place! You can keep up with Jack's work via his Instagram or check out some of his other photography on his website.