Rare albino deer have recently been spotted in a park in Ohio, USA, which may signal environmental or genetic concerns.
An albino deer in Ohio – (Photo: ABC NEWS).
According to Newsweek, the Mill Creek MetroParks leadership has reported the presence of three albino deer living in the park near Youngstown, Ohio.
The presence of these three animals in Mill Creek MetroPark may indicate inbreeding and declining health within the deer population.
Albinism is a rare genetic mutation that affects melanin levels in the body. Albino animals tend to have pale skin, white fur, and their eyes are usually pink.
Nick Derico, the natural resources manager at Mill Creek MetroPark, commented: “Albinism itself does not necessarily indicate poor health. However, this recessive genetic condition is quite rare, with estimates suggesting that only 1 in 20,000 (some estimates go as high as 1 in 30,000) deer exhibit this trait in wild populations.”
Difficult to spot these deer due to their fur blending with the snow – (Photo: ABC NEWS).
Concerns are also rising due to the frequency of albino deer sightings in MetroPark: over the years, the area has “welcomed” several albino deer, often with one or more born each spring.
This deer population is also rapidly expanding and is much larger than necessary. There may be a lack of genetic diversity in the population, potentially contributing to the occurrence of albinism.
An aerial infrared survey completed in January 2022 indicated an average density of 387 white-tailed deer per 2.6 km² in the MetroPark.
“This number exceeds the ecological carrying capacity of the land by more than 19 times,” Derico stated.
Mill Creek MetroPark is located not far from a recent train derailment incident in Ohio, which notably involved a train carrying hazardous chemicals.
There are growing concerns that this incident could trigger a comprehensive ecological crisis, severely impacting the surrounding environment.
