Cedar Springs, Michigan is home to Deer Tracks Junction, an amusement park and farm hybrid that’s all about family, animals, and fun while creating unforgettable memories. Deer Tracks Junction proudly boasts that park-goers are able to see critters of all kinds up close and personal while strolling through the park.
It sounds like a good time, but the best and most unique thing about Deer Tracks Junction was their star, a special, tiny deer with Piebaldism. His name was a dragon and there aren’t many creatures like him in the whole world, but he was incredibly cute and undeniably unique.
IMAGE COURTESY: Deer Tracks Junction
Dragon was rejected by his mother at birth before he ended up at Deer Tracks Junction.
Dragon has a condition called “Piebaldism.”
Piebaldism is a condition characterized by the absence of cells called melanocytes in parts of the skin and hair. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which contributes to hair, eye, and skin color. The absence of melanocytes results in patches of skin and hair that are lighter than normal.
According to lifeinfingerlakes.com:
“Out of an estimated 28 million whitetail deer in North America, you may find it even more fascinating to know that in the whitetail deer population, it is estimated that less than 2 percent will be born piebald.”
Dragon’s mother probably abandoned him because of the piebald, since it leaves deer with limited vision and hearing and thus more vulnerable to predators.
The dragon was lucky to be born at Deer Tracks Junction where humans could care for him instead of his mother, who had abandoned him.
Sadly, Dragon passed away due to health complications. Deer Track Junction posted at the time:
For his short ime on earth, it was really cool for both the folks at Deer Tracks Junction and anyone in the world who got a glimpse at this unique and adorable deer.
H/T:pupperish
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