When Did the Moose Become a National Symbol of Canada?
Although common throughout Canada and employed commercially as a patriotic symbol, the moose has never officially been made a national symbol of Canada. However, the smaller caribou, a relative of the moose, was featured on the Canadian 25-cent piece starting in 1937. In 2012, the caribou was replaced by a moose.
The national animal of Canada is actually the beaver. It became an official symbol in 1975 but was used as early as 1678 on the Hudson Bay Company’s coat of arms. This company was instrumental in expanding trade to the north and west of Canada.
Canada also has its own official breed of horse, the Canadian Horse. It was first declared the national breed in 1909 and then recognized by a parliamentary act as Canada’s national horse in 2002.
