Is there a loose alpaca running around Greendale?

After receiving reports of a renegade alpaca or goat roaming the area, the Greendale police clarified in a Facebook post Thursday that people were actually seeing a white deer named Penelope.

Penelope, who police said was named by an unknown person, was just prancing, eating and “doing what deer do,” the post said.

“There’s no need to call,” police wrote.

The Oak Creek Police Department posted a picture of officers posing with the deer in March, where commenters also referred to her as Penelope.

Commenters on both posts shared their own experiences encountering Penelope, some sharing photos and videos of the white deer.

Wisconsin law designates white deer as protected animals, which means it’s illegal to trap or hunt them.

A deer’s white color can be caused by rare genetic conditions, which means it’s rare to see deer like Penelope.

Piebald deer have large patches of white hair often mixed with normal colors, according to the National Deer Assocation, while albino deer are all-white.

Some also commented on both police departments’ posts to point out that many cultures consider white deer to be good luck.

According to the advocacy group Protect the White Deer, cultures around the world hold white deer in high regard.

More information about white deer can be found at Protect the White Deer, a website dedicated to preserving white deer in Wisconsin that posts updates about sightings and legislation to protect the rare animals.

Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: White deer spotted repeatedly in Greendale, police say

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel