Rare 'white' black bear rescued by Calgary Zoo

A rare "white" black bearthat had become a problem animal in B.C. is nowa residentat the Calgary Zoo.

It is one of a pair of young, white-furred bears that had acquired the habit of feeding on garbagein the town of Elkford, B.C.

The animals began lingering around Elkford in the fall of 2011. Conservation officers relocated the bears to the north, across the border inAlberta's Kananaskis Country. However, one of the bears returned to the town because of the easy availability of food.

When bears become habituated to people they are normally destroyed, but conservation officials made an exception in this case because of the rare colouring. The white fur of the bear is linked to a recessive gene.

The bear arrived at the Calgary Zoolast Saturdayand remains in quarantine. Zoo officials say the bear is adapting well to its new home but will not be on display until the 30-dayquarantine period is over.

The zoo says the animal will become an "ambassador" and will help educate people to respect wildllife and make sure their actions do not result in creating moreproblem bears.