Rare White Sambar Deer Spotted in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

• 12 Sep 2023

Recently, during a study focused on leopards conducted by conservation scientist, the presence of a leucistic sambar deer has been recently documented in the Sangama range of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key Points

• A Rare Discovery: The team observed a female sambar deer with leucism, a condition that causes the loss of pigmentation, resulting in white or pale skin.
• This unique individual was spotted alongside another adult female sambar, leading to speculation that it may be a sub-adult accompanied by its mother.
• Historical Significance: This marks the first recorded photographic evidence of a white form of sambar deer in this particular landscape.
• Notably, a white sambar deer had previously been recorded in Bandipur Tiger Reserve back in 2014.
• Understanding Leucism: Leucism, different from albinism, is characterized by the absence of pigmentation in an animal's skin.
• Unlike albinos, leucistic animals do not have pink or reddish eyes. This condition can arise naturally from birth due to a phenotype with developmental defects.
• Insights for Research: The data captured in this photograph offers valuable insights into the biology and ecology of these herbivores, which remains an area of exploration for researchers.
• The sambar deer is categorized as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, emphasizing the importance of ongoing studies, especially when unique occurrences like this are observed.