White Deer, at the former Seneca Army Depot, New York (an ammunitions depot, retired by the U. S. Dept. of the Army in 2000). Seneca is now home to the largest White Deer population in the world. The Seneca White Deer are a natural variation of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but a recessive gene lacking pigmentation prevents normal coloration of the hair. Because they lack pigmentation, the Seneca White Deer are leucistic, not Albino.  (Albinism is a result of the reduction of melanin. Albino deer are extremely rare, and have pink eyes.)   Population of the White Deer has been carefully managed inside the Army Depot over the last 60 years, resulting in an increase of the proportion of deer exhibiting the trait. The White Deer were first spotted inside the Army Depot in 1949 after the 10,000-acre site was completely enclosed with fences. The population has gradually increased since then.

White Deer, at the former Seneca Army Depot, New York (an ammunitions depot, retired by the U. S. Dept. of the Army in 2000).

Seneca is now home to the largest White Deer population in the world. The Seneca White Deer are a natural variation of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but a recessive gene lacking pigmentation prevents normal coloration of the hair. Because they lack pigmentation, the Seneca White Deer are leucistic, not Albino.  (Albinism is a result of the reduction of melanin. Albino deer are extremely rare, and have pink eyes.)  

Population of the White Deer has been carefully managed inside the Army Depot over the last 60 years, resulting in an increase of the proportion of deer exhibiting the trait. The White Deer were first spotted inside the Army Depot in 1949 after the 10,000-acre site was completely enclosed with fences. The population has gradually increased since then.

The White Ravens of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver. The birds are said not to be “albino,” but “leucistic,” a genetic defect resulting in birds that lack normal pigmentation. (“Albinism” is a result of the reduction of melanin.) They first appeared in Vancouver about 10 years ago, which is now known as the “White Raven Capital of the World.”    A lovely site indeed. More photos of the Vancouver Island birds by Mike Yip. 

The White Ravens of Qualicum Beach, Vancouver.

The birds are said not to be “albino,” but “leucistic,” a genetic defect resulting in birds that lack normal pigmentation. (“Albinism” is a result of the reduction of melanin.) They first appeared in Vancouver about 10 years ago, which is now known as the “White Raven Capital of the World.”   

A lovely site indeed.

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More photos of the Vancouver Island birds by Mike Yip.