Apparently, it occurred in small populations where inbreeding could occur. The absence of descriptive records does not imply the chance of albinism does not occur in the wild, but simply that the frequency is low and animals are removed rapidly by predators or scavengers. In the Shaktoolik case, the frequency was considerably higher. Because albinism appears to occur with the shortened lower jaw, newborn reindeer calves cannot suckle their mother and would die or be killed by predators shortly after birth. As a result, the number of albino calves recorded is probably an underestimate since others were likely scavenged when the herder was not present.
Little information is available on congenital defects in other cervid, or deer species.
The reindeer industry has the opportunity to launch into a new phase of maturity. Interest in lean meats from commercially-raised game has increased throughout North America. For this Alaska industry to tap these consumers, requires steady product supply. This means productive herds and the annual slaughter of large numbers of animals for profit while maintaining the population within the limits of range carrying capacity. Selection for white color has served a valuable purpose for reindeer herders in the past.