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Very Rare Leucistic White Red Deer Stag Spotted in the Highlands02/04/2008 10:51:04![news/leucistic-stag[1]](/resources/listimg/news/leucistic-stag[1]@body.jpg)
An extremely rare white red deer has been spotted by staff of the John Muir Trust on the west coast of Scotland. The last recorded wild, white stag in Britain was shot by poachers in October last year on the border of Devon and Cornwall. Fran Lockhart, Partnership Manager for the John Muir Trust snapped photos and some video footage of the beast while on a field trip. ‘It was amazing to crawl up so close to such a magnificent looking animal. He looked almost ghost like next to the group of young red stags that he was mixing with.’  Mythological Beast White deer are potent figures in the mythology of many cultures. The Celts considered them to be messengers from the otherworld. They are closely identified with unicorns and their appearance is said to herald some profound change in the lives of those that encounter them. Fans of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia will be very familiar with the white stag that the children in Narnia hunt deep into the forest only to find themselves back in their own world again.  Leucism White deer are often mistakenly thought to be albinos. In fact their unusual condition is caused by leucism, a rare genetic pattern that causes a reduction in the pigment in the animal’s hair and skins. Unlike albinos who have characteristically red eyes, deer with leucism have normal colouring in their eyes.
The John Muir Trust is keeping the details of the whereabouts of this animal secret after the last recorded white stag in the wild was shot by poachers for its trophy head. ‘I am thrilled to know that there is a white stag roaming free out there in the Scottish Highlands and that I was privileged enough to be able to spend an hour observing him,’ said Fran. ‘We will be watching this animal with interest particularly as he will be reaching his full potential in the next couple of years.’
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I have a magnificent white red deer stag living on my land in cornwall. He was nearly killed by a 12 point normal stag last rutting season but they are back together now. I will shoot the 12 pointer to protect the white stag.I know of two white stags in devon
Posted by: | 30 Apr 2012 22:13:24
Near miss today in my mum's car as a white stag and a red hind galloped infront of the car. It stood off the side and watched us drive by, was amazing. My dad tought me about all our local wildlife and told me about the rare white stag, he was really happy when I told him I saw one.
Posted by: Victoria | 17 Mar 2011 19:31:24