Moose with rare tan coat spotted in Alaska winter landscape

A moose with rare coloring has been spotted by the Alaska department of fish and game (ADFG) during an aerial survey.

The department shared a post on Facebook that featured a tan moose standing out among other dark brown moose in a winter landscape.

According to the US National Park Service, leucism also causes white coloration and white patches, spots, or splotches on the skin or fur.

Although Alaskan officials did not reveal the location of the moose, its Facebook post garnered nearly 500 comments and more than 5,000 shares.

But others expressed interest in hunting the moose.

Beckmen added that the effects of leucism on an animal may include deafness and a shorter life span.

There are about 175,000 to 200,000 moose in Alaska. The sturdy herbivores, some weighing up to 1,600lbs, are generally associated with northern forests and are valued for their meat and as a game animal. According to the ADFG, at least 7,000 moose are harvested annually in Alaska, yielding up to 3.5m pounds of meat.