Sacred White Buffalo Born in Yellowstone

Native Americans hold the birth of a white buffalo to be auspicious. Lakota legend says that in a time of deprivation and despair, White Buffalo Calf Woman appeared to a tribe member and presented a bundle and pipe. She taught the Indians how to pray and said the pipe could be used to bring buffalo to the area for food. She then departed, turning into a white buffalo calf. Lakotas say the appearance is an omen of change for the better. [photo credit: AP]

The Yellowstone bison heard is culled annually due to objections to the growth of the herd from Montana stock owners who fear the spread of disease from the wild animals. Last year about 1500 were removed. Tribes have turned to raising their own herds and their number is increasing. Currently about 20,000 are located on reservations. The Park has set a population target of 5,200 bison.

Before western expansion the plains were home to an estimated 60 million animals. A form of genocide was committed against them, reducing the species to the edge of extermination. But for the survival of a few captive herds, bison would have perished.  Visitors photographed the white bison calf being born on June 4th in the Lamar Valley. The calf is not an albino since it has black eyes, nose, and hoofs. An albino has pink eyes. The calf is a rare genetic mutation. A naming ceremony has already been held, and a celebration of the arrival is scheduled for June 26th.