A ‘UNICORN’ that lived on the grounds of an Oxford University college has died after a short illness.

Yesterday afternoon, Magdalen College announced that the rare white buck that lived on its ground had died.

The white deer, who was dubbed ‘almost a unicorn’, by the college had lived on the grounds since spring 2018.

Writing on Twitter, the college said: “The white buck came to us in spring '18 to live out his last few years, and since that time has become an important member of the herd.

“It was impossible not to be affected by this most magical of beasts.

“We will miss our ‘almost a unicorn’.”

Dinah Rose, president of Magdalen College, paid tribute to the rare animal online.

Writing on Twitter she said: “Sad to announce the death of our beloved white buck today, after a short illness. Most iconic of the Magdalen College deer, a creature of folklore made real, he had a long and happy life in the deer park, where he enjoyed crunching conkers with the other bucks.

“We will miss him.”

Students from the college also paid their respects to the rare deer.

One wrote on Twitter: “What sad news. He was such a big part of my time at Oxford and the fairy haunt that is Holywell Ford — I’d always look out for him on my walk to and from college.

“Sleep well, white one.”

Another student added: “I genuinely did not think it is possible to be this sad about a deer.

“RIP head buck Deer.”

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