Weakening The Species

"He takes only what he needs, nothing more . . . yet for his great size and strength he lives in peace with other creatures. The moose uses his size and power not to dominate but to protect, not to spoil but to preserve. He is a fierce protector, a loyal companion, and a generous provider who brings comfort and security to those within his defending circle." credit

Although the above passage would also be an apt description of über lawyer and faithful reader Howard Hughes, I find it a perfect description of my favorite topic, the moose. And as I certainly trend moose, I figured that as I hadn’t blogged about moose for over a week, I should be keeping my “base” happy.

Albino Moose

The sighting of an albino moose in the Norwegian province of Østfold has sparked a debate about whether the animal should be shot or spared. Scandinavia is the home to 450,000 moose and one albino is usually among them. Hunting season, which began this week, will see one-third of the herd being hunted, and among them will be this beast.

Some weak, non-hunters in Østfold (I believe there are four) have called on hunters to spare the white moose, according to the Norwegian broadcasting service NRK. But the head of the regional wildlife commission isn't making any promises:

"As long as there are people out there who don't agree that the animal should live, I can't guarantee that the animal will survive"

Especially not while a descendent of Harald Bluetooth and Eric the Red is in the house. Morten Brommdal is manager of the animal section at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Oslo. Here's what Morten has to say about the situation:

"It is surely entertaining to have an albino moose wandering in the woods, but in purely breeding terms, it is not right to let it live.

That so many people want the white moose to live is an emotional issue. But if it is spared, ... soon we might have two, three, four or five albino moose in these wooded areas, something which in the long run can weaken the herd," says Brommdal, who pointed out that an albino moose is really a kind of genetic mistake."

Whether the moose is brown, grey or white, a moose is a moose is a moose. Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)