Mountain town residents of Cañon City are mourning the death of a beautiful albino buck that went by the name of Tilde. The rare albino buck had been spotted around Fremont County for at least two-and-a-half years.

Wildlife officials confirmed Saturday in a press release that Tilde was not poached. An official cause of death cannot be determined due to the condition of the body, which was found in “an advanced state of decomposition.”

Albino animals are born with a congenital defect that causes partial or complete loss of pigmentation, resulting in their striking and rare white appearance.

Life in the wild for the albino is often viewed as a struggle to survive. According to National Geographic, there are several disadvantages when it comes to hunting for food and avoiding danger, including poor eyesight. Their lack of camouflage also makes them an easy target for predators such as mountain lions, bears, and coyotes.

“We will miss seeing our rare and iconic city deer,” stated Kristy Gotham, public information officer for Cañon City.