Canadian tribal communities upset hunters killed white moose

Members of Canada's First Nations tribes say they are upset hunters killed a rare albino moose this month. The white moose was shot legally last week near Belle Cote, Nova Scotia, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Monday. "This is what we call a spirit animal," said Clifford Paul, moose management coordinator for the Unamaki Institute of Natural Resources. Danny Paul, a member of the Mi'kmaq community, said the rare moose was known to have lived in the area for several years. He told the CBC tribal hunters didn't kill it because white animals are considered sacred. "We know the significance and we've been teaching that to the non-native population for almost 500 years -- about the importance that this and other white animals played in our lives," he said. "We are not to harm them in any way, shape, or form because they could be one of our ancestors coming to remind us of something significant that's going to happen within our communities. "It was so disrespectful having seen it put on the social media, and it's been an outcry and our people are outraged." The hunters who shot the moose said they were unaware of its cultural significance and have agreed to give the hide to the Mi'kmaq community for a traditional ceremony, the CBC said.