Spirit Bear of the Andes

For the first time ever, camera traps in Peru have captured images of an Andean Spirit Bear. The bear, aptly nicknamed "Paddy" by its photographer Michael Tweddle, is actually a spectacled bear (or Andean bear) Tremarctos ornatus. This South American species is usually black with white colorations on its face in the shape of glasses, giving it iconic "spectacles."

Researchers say that Paddy's unique coat color is the cause of a genetic mutation that expresses brown fur. Similar mutations have been observed in North American black bears and grizzly bears, species, but is much more rare on the South American species. 

Click here to see the short video and full article!