Poaching is a crime, but sadly, it is committed way too often all over the globe. And for an indigenous group of people in Canada, it was worse as poachers killed a rare and sacred white moose, which was seen as a “spiritual” animal.
First Nation communities were shocked and upset upon learning that their “spirit animal,” a rare white moose, was wantonly killed by suspected poachers. The white moose was killed near the city of Timmins, Ontario, leaving a state of mourning for locals.
According to reports, the corpses of two female moose, one of which was a spectacular white cow, was discovered shot and discarded along a service road. Their bodies were intact, including the heads. It seemed the killing was not for meat or for trophies, it was senseless and deliberate. It really shocked locals as to why the crime was committed.
“Everybody is outraged and sad. Why would you shoot it? No one needs one that bad,” declared Chief Murray Ray of the Flying Post First Nation.” If you have a license to shoot a cow moose, you could shoot another one. Just leave the white ones alone.”
Traditionally, local residents consider the white moose sacred, as well as other white animals like bears, bison, and ravens. It is rare, but you may catch a glimpse of one peacefully moving along the pine forests, who have a ghostly like appearance due to a recessive gene.
Residents are baffled as to the reasons for this mindless execution of such a splendid creature. The incident is being investigated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. There are signs about which warn against the killing of these creatures, which are under legal protection by laws that locals have fought hard for. Chief Murray added, “I really hope they find the people that are responsible for this and they’re charged.”
A fellow member of the Flying Post First Nation community, Troy Woodhouse, was visibly upset when he said that anyone who sees the moose would realize “ how much of a sacred animal it is and rare and majestic to see.” He adds, “It saddens me that somebody would take such a beautiful animal. Nobody knows exactly how many are in the area, so the loss of a single spirit moose is one too many.” Woodhouse fondly remembers the first time he was lucky enough to observe a young white bull moose…he was with his wife near his grandfather’s home. “It was a sign that he’s watching over us on the land. It was very special to me.”
Woodhouse has volunteered to personally give CAD$ 1,000 to anyone who volunteers information that leads to the killers’ arrest, or for those responsible themselves if they turn themselves over if the killing was an unfortunate mistake. Others, as well as a drilling company and animal rights activists, have contributed about CAD$ 8,000 (USD$ 6, 121) for a fund that will go to anyone who can help find the culprits.
The upset Woodhouse explained, “Maybe hunters tried to get one moose, and got the other by accident. If a person does come forward and admit what they did, I would put my portion towards any of their legal fees. There’s so much negativity in the world today. It’s nice to just see some people banding together and trying to turn this into something positive.” Truly a gallant effort to resolve a shocking incident, but it is unlikely the suspects would surrender to the authorities, we just have to wait and see.
But this is not the first time such an atrocity was committed. In the past, indigenous communities were outraged by the slaying of these sacred creatures. In 2013, three hunters killed a white moose in Nova Scotia and faced charges by the Mi’kmaq people. They were eventually ordered to return the animal’s pelt to Mi’kmaq authorities so that a days-long mourning could be hold to honor the majestic creatures.
These animals are extremely rare in the region. Wildlife photographer Mark Clement has seen about four over many years, and estimates that maybe about 30 white moose live in the entire region. They may not be sacred to non-indigenous people of the area, but they are still wonderful and majestic creatures that deserve to be honored and protected. Poaching is a crime, and criminals deserve to be prosecuted.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
