*thumb pointing down*

We have seen the enemy, and it is us

Having albino moose weakens the herd? What a dink!

"... If it is spared we risk the moose's breeding qualities spreading. Soon we might two, three, four or five albino moose in these wooded areas, something which in the long run can weaken the herd."

IANAGeneticist, but I think that's bullshit. Er, mooseshit. From The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation: "For nearly all types of albinism both parents must carry an albinism gene to have a child with albinism. Because the body has two sets of genes,a person may have normal pigmentation but carry the albinism gene. If a person has one gene for normal pigmentation and one gene for albinism, he or she will have enough genetic information to make normal pigment. The albinism gene is "recessive" — it does not result in albinism unless a person has two copies of the gene for albinism and no copy of the gene that makes normal pigment."

Now, granted, I don't think they're talking about moose. But saying that if the moose breeds it will necessarily create another little white moose is just plain wrong. And the contention that "an albino moose is really a kind of 'mistake'" is equally misinformed.

In other words, don't hunt the moose. Hunt the idiots making pronouncements about it.

Or what specklet said.

Arseholes. There aren't any moose in Europe.

You might not be aware of this, but the animals shot by hunters are usually the strongest and healthiest of the herd (because noone would want to eat a sick animal). If they shoot this one, a normal, healthy moose (who would have otherwise fit the quota) will get a chance to live at least a year longer.

mudpuppie, there's no way of knowing how many moose out there have the recessive gene for albinism. They say there's usually one report of a white moose a year, so it sounds like the recessive gene is fairly common.

Albinism usually causes vision problems too, so it makes sense to me that letting it breed would weaken the herd.

On the other hand, I have vision problems myself, and I hope to breed some day...

That said......

Awww, white moose!! I would like to adopt it and raise it as my very own pet.

Examine this beast carefully; I'd wager it's got the Dharma logo stamped somewhere on its hide.

"Oh, cool! Something different! Let's kill it!"