Rare albino deer found in Yuba County dies due to injuries from fence entanglement

A wildlife rescue organization in the capital region found a young black-tailed deer whose hair was anything but black.

Gold Country Wildlife Rescue found an albino deer fawn “entangled in a fence” last week, the Auburn-based organization announced Sunday on social media.

The animal died due to injuries from that entanglement after receiving care from the organization’s staff.

“While loss is a hard reality in wildlife rehabilitation,” said the statement from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue, “we were honored to provide this little one with compassionate care, comfort, and dignity during its final days.”

Albino deer, who lack the melanin that produces skin and hair color, are highly unusual. The one found last week was the first that Gold Country Wildlife Rescue has handled since the nonprofit was founded in 1991.

“This unique trait makes them especially vulnerable in the wild, but also truly striking to see,” the rescue group said.

Sallysue Stein, the group’s founder and executive director, said in an email that the animal was found in Yuba County.

Facebook user Sherrie Cunningham pointed out in a comment on the rescue group’s post that the young deer appeared to have died due to a “man-made” structure.

“The reality that this rare and beautiful little fawn was injured so severely trying to free itself from panic and pain is just plain heartbreaking,” Cunningham wrote. “Even if kind humans tried to intervene after the fact.”