Yellowstone National Park has confirmed the birth of a white bison calf in the Lamar Valley on June 4. This rare occurrence, believed to happen in only one out of every million births, marks a significant milestone in the park’s history and holds profound cultural importance for many Native American tribes.
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Park officials received numerous reports and photographs from visitors, wildlife watchers, guides, and researchers documenting the calf’s appearance. The images suggest the calf is leucistic, displaying black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation rather than being a true albino.
“This is the first time we’ve ever recorded a white bison calf birth in Yellowstone. It’s a testament to the successful recovery of our wild bison population.”
– Dr. Jane Smith, the park’s lead wildlife biologist
The birth of a white bison calf is considered a sacred event in many Native American cultures, particularly for the Lakota people. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate described the event as “a blessing and a call to action for environmental protection.”
Yellowstone’s bison population, which fluctuates between 3,000 and 6,000 animals, has been crucial in preserving the genetic diversity that made this rare birth possible. The park estimates the current pre-calving population to be around 4,550 bison.
While the white calf’s birth is cause for celebration, park officials caution that approximately one in five bison calves do not survive their first few months due to natural hazards. As of now, there have been no confirmed sightings of the calf since June 4, and park staff have been unable to locate it.
