OTTUMWA, Iowa (KCRG) – A rare white fawn was spotted on the Indian Hills Community College campus Tuesday, prompting the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to urge the public to keep their distance.
The fawn appears to be either leucistic or albino, both genetic pigment conditions that cause abnormal white coloration. White deer represent less than 1% of Iowa’s deer population, occurring about once in every 30,000 deer.
According to the DNR, that fawn is not abandoned. Does commonly hide their young and leave them alone for most of the day while they feed nearby.
The DNR is asking people not to approach the animal. Too much human disturbance could cause the mother not to feel safe returning to her fawn.
Iowa law protects deer with more than 50% white coverage from harvest.
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