Proposals to Hunt Albino Deer and Tundra Swans Statewide The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring County Conservation Meeting is set for April 14. Several controversial proposals have been added to the 2014 WCC spring ballot including Question 35, which reads: “ Would you favor legalizing the harvest of white and albino deer statewide?” The rationale stated is as follows: “Albino, white and piebald deer have a recessive genetic mutation that causes a total absence (in the case of albinos) or lack of (in white and piebald deer) body pigment . . . “In the wild, white fur and markings place these animals at a selective disadvantage because they lack the typical protective coloration and are more visible, making them more susceptible to predators. These animals often have other recessive traits and physical maladies such as poor eyesight in albinos, because of their pink eyes. These recessive genetic conditions are quite rare (estimated at less than one percent under natural conditions) and the phenomenon is often localized in a specific area. From a strictly biological perspective, there is no reason to protect white deer . . .” In response to this proposal, Marshia and Mike Crowley in Boulder Junction wrote to me: “We have had the privilege of observing a line of albino deer for the past 20 years and can tell anyone that they live long and healthy lives, and the does we have observed have had healthy fawns at 8 and 9 years of age (mostly brown fawns). The argument for keeping them out of the genetic pool just doesnt fly, and especially here in the Northwoods; their winter camouflage protects them for a considerable time period. They are special to so many people in this area, and I would think anywhere else they appear in the state. Boulder Junction even has economic benefit from them, as many people come to the area to try to get a glimpse of these ‘ghost’ deer.” Its important to note that the statement, “From a strictly biological perspective, there is no reason to protect white deer,” is true. It’s equally true, however, that there is no reason to hunt white deer either. The fact that albinism is a recessive trait means little, because the term “recessive” doesn’t mean the trait needs to be removed from the gene pool. Most humans have many recessive traits occurring within them, the vast majority of which have no impact. What I’ve learned about genetics over the years is that it’s really very complex. While we would like genetics to be black and white, it actually is all shades of gray. In the case of albino animals, they possess all the normal characteristics of their species, but their cells can’t produce melanin. Without melanin, an animal, or parts of that animal, typically appear white or pink. Thus, an animal can be a pure albino or a partial albino. As I understand it, the most critical factor in producing melanin is the presence of a special enzyme called tyrosinase – the “TYR” gene. If the TYR gene fails completely, an all-white, light-eyed albino animal will be born. However, the TYR gene can be altered in dozens of ways, producing other albino variations, such as albinos with light eyes but with some color on their fur. The TYR gene isn’t the only player in the melanin game either; other hormones and proteins also impact melanin production, and their presence is determined by additional special genes. In house mice, for instance, a total of 130 genes are known to affect coat color, so for a layman to determine visually whether an animal is albino or not can be very difficult. The largest problem with any assumption of albinism negatively affecting deer is that no behavioral studies exist on albino deer. One myth is that they are ostracized within a herd and thus have difficulty finding a mate. But within a herd structure, at least as is witnessed by many observers in our area, there’s no evidence that white deer are particularly ostracized in any manner. In fact, the number of pictures of mixed herds of deer mingling without incident suggests they get along fine. For me, the final proof of their fitness is simply this: They have survived, and thrived, over time. If they were significantly unfit, they would have been culled out a long time ago. So, the argument for hunting them appears to comes down to this: do rarity and beauty enhance the value, and therefore justify the protection, of white/albino deer, or not? For me, rarity and beauty, not to mention the economic benefit to the area, are the trump cards, and thus I would vote no to the hunt. If you can use this in another paper, feel free to do so, though I suspect you have said much the same thing just as well. Keep fighting! John Bates ************************************ The Reedsburg Public Library is holding one of the UW-Baraboo Writers Series programs with Wisconsin author and naturalist John Bates at 6:30 p.m. March 6. Bates is passionate about nature and is the author of seven books that focus on the Northwoods of Wisconsin. He has been featured on Wisconsin Public Television in a segment of “In Wisconsin” and has worked as a state forest naturalist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Bates owns Trails North, a naturalist guide service. For the past 24 years Bates has written a biweekly column, “A Northwoods Almanac,” for the Lakeland Times in Minocqua. We look forward to seeing you for this free program, “Writing to the Head, Hands and Heart: One Naturalist’s Attempt to Reconnect People to the Natural World.”
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:16:07 +0000
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