Rare white deer hind spotted on Quantocks (From Somerset County Gazette)

Rare white deer hind spotted on Quantocks

9:10pm Thursday 14th February 2008 in News By Lloyd Vaughan

THESE photos sent in by Alcombe resident David Sudds appear to show a rare white deer hind roaming the Quantock Hills.

A white deer calf was spotted in Devon in October last year, just weeks after local farmers were outraged after the killing of a white stag in the area. The stag's body was found hanging in a yard.

Uproar was also caused in 1993 when poachers killed the famous white deer Snowy, which roamed the Quantock Hills.

It is believed it was brought down by lurcher dogs in Bagborough and was targeted for its unique hide.

Louise Robertson, spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "Often the problem is that trophy hunters want to go out and kill them because they are so rare.

"These people are ruining the great pleasure people get from seeing these majestic and very rare creatures."

Their unusual appearance is caused by leucism, a rare genetic pattern that causes a reduction in the pigment in the animal's hair and skin.

Deer with leucism have normal colouring in their eyes.