A white bison born in Yellowstone has disappeared: what you need to know about this rare animal

Top line

A rare white bison has not been seen since its birth earlier this month, Yellowstone National Park said Friday, shortly after the calf’s birth — described by park officials as a “natural phenomenon” — was celebrated by religious leaders of the Lakota Native American tribe.

The calf’s birth was celebrated by the Lakota earlier this month as the animal fulfilled a prophecy. … (+) of the Native American tribe.

Associated Press

Highlights

Yellowstone National Park said the white calf was last seen when it was born in the Lamar Valley on June 4, citing reports and photos of the animal taken by park visitors, professional wildlife observers, commercial guides and researchers.

According to the park, about one in five calves dies shortly after birth due to natural disasters, but authorities have not said whether they believe the white calf is dead.

The Lakota tribe celebrated the calf’s birth earlier this week in a religious ceremony, revealing the tribe’s name for the calf: Wakan Gli, which is said to mean “Sacred Return” in Lakota.

According to the Lakota religion, the White Bison Woman appeared to the tribe about 2,000 years ago, teaching them to pray while giving them a bowl pipe and a bundle, before leaving and transforming into a white bison.

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Lakota, was quoted as saying that the return of the calf brings hope in these difficult times, although he also indicates that more must be done to protect the Earth’s ecosystem.

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Surprising fact

Yellowstone National Park biologists believe the calf is leucistic, not albino, meaning the animal has black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation, the park said.

Key context

A white buffalo calf occurs in the wild in about one in a million births, or potentially less frequently, Yellowstone National Park estimates. A white buffalo calf named Miracle was born on a farm in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1994, and is believed to be the first white calf born since 1933, according to the National Park Service. Looking Horse noted that Miracle’s birth came shortly after other spiritual leaders warned the United Nations about the negative impact of climate change, The New York Times reported. The last known white buffalo was born on July 4, 2012, in Avon, Minnesota. This calf, named Baby, died two weeks later.

Tangent

Yellowstone National Park has proposed limiting the number of buffalo in Montana to 6,000, up from the 5,000 proposed by the National Park Service. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and other state agencies have said they will not accept any limit higher than 3,000. Some Montana-based agricultural groups have called for limiting the number of buffalo roaming outside the park for years, fearing the animals could spread bacterial infections and damage property or crops.