The Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed the sighting and said the fawn does not appear to be abandoned. DNR officials said it is normal for a doe to leave her fawn hidden and unattended for much of the day while she feeds nearby.
The fawn appears to be either leucistic or albino. Both are genetic pigment conditions that can cause white coloration in deer. White deer are extremely rare in Iowa, representing far less than 1% of the state’s deer population. According to the DNR, they appear roughly once in every 30,000 deer.
The DNR said it is monitoring the situation and wants the public to enjoy the unusual sight from a distance. Officials said people should not approach the fawn or attempt to touch, move or feed it.
Human disturbance can put young wildlife at risk. If people get too close, the mother may not feel safe returning to the fawn.
The sighting comes during fawning season, when newborn deer are often found lying quietly in grass or other cover. Wildlife officials commonly remind the public that young animals found alone are usually not orphaned and should be left where they are.
Iowa law also gives special protection to mostly white deer. Deer with more than 50% white coverage are protected from harvest, allowing the animals to remain on the landscape for people to observe safely and respectfully.
The DNR is asking anyone who sees the fawn to give it and its mother significant space.
(TOP PHOTO via Iowa DNR.)