CASPER-- An albino mule deer, well known by the residents of Casper, has died. The doe deer was found dead in a resident's back yard on Thanksgiving Day and was reported to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Game Warden John Lund responded to the call and says there was no evidence of foul play and he believes the deer died of natural causes.

Biologists are uncertain of the deer’s age but Lund remembers seeing her on the west end of town in the area of Robertson Road as far back as 1999. "So if this is the same deer she was 9 or 10 years old when she died. That is a good long life for a wild deer, especially an albino," he said.

Albinism is a recessive trait found in many animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and even plants. Albino animals do not have the gene for normal coloration and do not produce the enzyme responsible for skin, hair and tissue coloration. The result of this genetic oddity is the total absence of body pigment. The eyes of a true albino are pink because blood vessels behind the lenses show through the unpigmented irises.

While the Robertson Road doe had several fawns over the years, it is unknown whether any of them were also albinos. When carriers of albinism breed, there is a one-in-four chance they will produce an albino fawn. Recessive genetic traits typically become less common unless they provide a survival advantage or are artificially enhanced through selective breeding.

"This deer was sort of an icon to many in the Robertson Road area of west Casper," said Robin Kepple, information specialist for the Casper Game and Fish office. "We regularly received reports from people who spotted her and phone calls from people wanting to know if she was still around. Seeing this genetic rarity will be missed by many."