.NET8 MAUI Image "gif" animation Debug vs. Release

Has anyone figured out how to get a MAUI Image "gif" animation to work in Release mode?

Using Visual Studio 2022's Android Device Manager, Emulator set to Tablet M-DPI 10.1in - API34, Android 14.0 - API 34, the MAUI Image animation in Debug mode works every single time!  Awesome!  However, when I switch the Build to Release mode and Deploy to the Emulator, the application responds just fine but I see a Image control presenting a FROZEN "gif" and I don't know how to solve the problem.

I experience the same FROZEN "gif" problem if the Emulator is running Pixel 6 Pro Android 14 - API 34.

Using the Debug build, Pixel 6 Pro Android 14 - API 34 Emulator shows the Image control animating the "gif" perfectly!

However, switching Build to Release mode and Deploying to the Pixel 6 Pro Emulator, again I experience the application responding just fine, but the Image control presents a FROZEN "gif".

Here's my XAML definition for my Image element:

                <Image
                        x:Name="ClintHatGif"
                        Source="clinteastwood.gif"
                        IsAnimationPlaying="True"
                        Aspect="AspectFit"
                        VerticalOptions="Center"
                        HeightRequest="180" />

When I select my Project and visit "Manage NuGet Packages" and select the "Updates" tab, no updates appear. So, I think I've got the latest.

Maybe you know of a NuGet Package or a Build Release setting that solves the problem? I'm unsure how to proceed.

Thanks for reading this post.