# Rare White Roe Deer Spotted in Kujawy Region A reader captured rare photographs of a leucistic roe deer in Miradz Forest. - **Source:** [Polsat News](https://www.polsatnews.pl) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8b2f4b85-24f6-4986-b6cd-7189904f7d06 ## Rare Wildlife Sighting A reader named Mateusz Lubanski captured rare photographs of a white roe deer in the Miradz Forest. This forest is located on the border of the Greater Poland and Kuyavian-Pomeranian provinces. Such sightings are considered extremely uncommon in Polish forests, making this specific encounter a notable event for local nature enthusiasts. ## Understanding the Condition Pawel Kaczorowski, a spokesperson for the Miradz Forest District, clarified that these animals are not albinos. The condition is identified as leucism, which is characterized by a partial or total loss of pigmentation. Unlike albinism, leucism typically results in the animal having dark-colored eyes rather than the pink eyes associated with albinism. ## Broader Regional Context Forest officials noted that while white roe deer are rare, other deer species in the area occasionally exhibit similar traits. In October of this year, observers recorded a white fallow deer in the same region. Experts suggest that leucism appears more frequently in fallow deer populations than it does in roe deer. ## Historical Local Precedents The presence of white deer in the Kujawy region is not an entirely new occurrence. Pawel Kaczorowski confirmed that a white roe deer was spotted in these specific surroundings many years ago. These sporadic sightings indicate that the genetic trait persists within the local wildlife population, even if it remains rare. ## Previous Documented Encounters Local media reports provide further evidence of this phenomenon in the region. Three years ago, the CMG24 service published photographs of a white deer spotted in fields between Lenartowo and Barlinek. In that instance, the white animal was seen moving within a larger herd, mirroring the rarity of the recent Miradz sighting. ## Ecological Rarity Explained Leucism is a genetic mutation that affects the distribution of pigment cells throughout the animal's body. Because these animals lack the typical camouflage provided by their natural coat colors, they are often more vulnerable to predators. This makes the survival of such individuals to adulthood a particularly fascinating subject for wildlife biologists. ## Public Engagement Efforts The photographs were submitted through a reader portal, highlighting the role of citizen science in tracking wildlife. By sharing these images, the public assists foresters in monitoring local biodiversity and rare genetic expressions. Such contributions provide valuable data points for regional forest management and help document the presence of unique animals. ## Significance of Observations While these sightings do not represent a change in species population trends, they serve as a reminder of genetic diversity in nature. The documentation of leucistic animals in the Kujawy region continues to provide insights into how rare traits manifest across different deer species over time, maintaining interest among local researchers. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.polsatnews.pl/wiadomosc/2026-11-12/niezwykly-okaz-w-obiektywie-biala-sarna-na-kujawach/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._