Wildlife Photographer Captures Stunning Images of a Rare White Moose in Swedish Forests

Wildlife Photographer Captures Stunning Images of a Rare White Moose in Swedish Forests
Caters News
Updated:

A wildlife photographer has captured a series of stunning photos of a rare white moose—with a condition that gives its fur no pigment—roaming in the fields of Sweden.

Roger Brendhagen, 52, caught sight of this moose during a walk through the countryside near Värmland, Sweden.

(Caters News)
Caters News

The wildlife photographer, who originally hails from Norway, said he was delighted to catch a glimpse of one, as only around 30 white moose live in the area.

“I have met thousands of moose in my life but when I met this guy in the Swedish forests, I almost lost my senses but thank God I did not lose the camera,” Roger added.

(Caters News)
Caters News

Roger further clarified the legendary white moose that first appeared in western Värmland sometime in the 1930s is not albino. According to researchers, these moose contain a genetic code that makes their coat unable to store any pigment.

Roger explained that the phenomenon that causes this is called leucism.

(Caters News)
Caters News

Leucism comes under a wide variety of conditions that result in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animal or bird—that causes white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales, or cuticles. However, the eyes, beak, and claws of the species often have normal pigmentation, which is what makes the condition different from albinism.

The rare moose that Roger captured in a series of photos has white fur; however, the eyes and horns of the animal are brown in color, just like any other ordinary moose. (Caters News)
The rare moose that Roger captured in a series of photos has white fur; however, the eyes and horns of the animal are brown in color, just like any other ordinary moose. Caters News
Epoch Times staff contributed to this story.
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