extremely-rare-white-moose-sighting-in-a-river

Watch This Extremely Rare White Moose Take a Dip in a River

If there’s one thing we could use more of in 2020, it’s signs of hope, and this extremely rare white moose is exactly that. Resurfacing online thanks to Twitter, this glorious behemoth is part of a mythical mutation that turns the megafauna ghost-white. Such a rare specimen is estimated to be one of a hundred in a population of half a million:

The original sighting of this hauntingly beautiful beast is causing quite a stir. White moose in Scandinavia are exceptionally rare, and most can only be found in Värmland. The resurfacing of this footage accompanies several sightings in 2020, which onlookers hope points to better times to come.

Hunters Enact ‘Unofficial Pact’ to Protect White Moose

illustration from The Graphic, volume XVII, no 447, June 29, 1878.

Thankfully, the majority of hunters worldwide have chosen not to kill any of these “sacred beasts”. This makes them more protected than their brown counterparts. In fact, the most famous sighting in 2017 sparked a campaign from Swedish Police to “bag the beast”. Outcry from the public, conservationists, and seasoned hunters then rallied to spare the brilliant creature. Since then, even more spectacular sightings have surfaced. One, (full story here), resulted in a photo so phenomenal that it’s being hailed as the “2020 Unicorn”. Other sightings resulted in equally ethereal footage, such as this footage shot by Swedish man Hans Hilsson:

White Moose are, in fact, NOT Albino

This picture taken on July 31, 2017 shows a rare white moose in Gunnarskog, Vaermland County, Sweden. – There are only around 100 white moose in Sweden. (Photo by Tommy PEDERSEN / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT

While albinism is a well-known genetic mutation that results in all-white organisms, these particular moose are not albino. Instead, these marvelous moose have a hereditary genetic mutation known as leucism – which results in reduced pigmentation. Where albinism causes a lack of pigmentation to skin, fur, eyes, etc., leucism simply allows for less coloration. This results in a beautiful snowy-white coat for the otherwise healthy moose.

Regardless of their genetic makeup and rarity, these incredible white moose are a sign of good things to come. Their kind have served as beacons of hope and heralds of supernatural blessings by every ancient culture lucky enough to behold them. Thankfully, we modern folk can enjoy their splendor still – and may look to a brighter year thanks to their very existence.

[H/T The Sun]