A rare herd of white deer roaming the former Seneca Army Depot in Seneca County could soon receive added legal protection under a newly introduced bill in the New York State Senate.

State Sen. Pam Helming recently introduced legislation that would prohibit the hunting of white deer, albino deer and rare black deer on public and state lands in New York. The proposal comes as advocates continue pushing to preserve the unusual herd that has long drawn fascination to the former military site in Romulus.

The white deer living there are not albino. Instead, they are believed to have a genetic condition known as leucism, which gives them white coats while leaving them with brown eyes. Their isolation inside the fenced grounds of the former depot helped the trait persist over generations, making the herd one of the most well-known of its kind.

Helming, who represents the 54th Senate District, said her interest in protecting the animals grew after seeing them along the fence line in Seneca County and learning more about them through local advocates.