A rare albino deer spotted throughout Farmington Hills in recent years has died after being struck by vehicle near 12 Mile and Halsted roads, the city said.
The “unique deer captured the hearts of many community members,” according to a Facebook post by the City of Farmington Hills on Tuesday, May 5, confirming the deer’s death. The post has more than 1,000 reactions as of Tuesday evening.
“We appreciate the compassion shown by those who reached out with the concern,” the city said in the post. “As wildlife activity increases during spring, we encourage all drivers to remain alert, especially during dawn and dusk when animals are most active.”
The deer had been spotted and photographed by residents a number of times, including in 2025, as it meandered through woodlands and neighborhoods in the area.
Biologists estimate the chances of the birth of a white-tail albino deer range from 20,000-to-1 to 100,000-to-1, according to an article by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Albinism traits in deer include all white hair, pink or red eyes and pink noses, hooves and ears. Male albino deer also possess pale pink or white antlers.
It was once illegal to hunt albino deer in Michigan but, in 2008, the state lifted the protection; other deer hunting rules still apply.
The albino deer was not the only all-white animal capturing the hearts of metro Detroiters; earlier this year, St. Clair Shores residents reported seeing a white squirrel.
Frank Witsil and Nour Rahal contributed.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Farmington Hills’ beloved all-white albino deer struck, killed by car
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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