Visitors to our Havant Thicket Reservoir site were treated to an extraordinary sight recently, a white stag, now affectionately named Casper, roaming near the works. While deer are not uncommon here (we’ve previously seen a stag, does, and even a young fawn), this is the first time we’ve encountered a white deer.
Why is this so special?
White deer are extremely rare in the UK. Their distinctive appearance is usually caused by leucism, a genetic condition that results in reduced pigmentation, or occasionally by albinism. Unlike albino animals, leucistic deer typically have normal eye colour and are perfectly healthy.
Monitoring and Welfare
Our Environmental Team has been monitoring Casper from a distance as a precaution, but we have no concerns about his welfare or his ability to leave the site. He is being left undisturbed to roam freely.
Wildlife at Havant Thicket Reservoir
This sighting highlights the wildlife that continues to flourish around Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir, as we deliver an environmentally led project that secures vital water supplies while creating new habitats and green spaces for the future.