The rare white bison calf at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, died on Wednesday, June 17.
The refuge announced the death on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, stating that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are working to understand what caused the death. The organization also stated that it is working with local Native American tribes to inform them of the bison’s passing.
“We recognize the cultural significance that a white bison holds for many tribal nations and are working to communicate with them in a timely and respectful manner,” the refuge’s Facebook post reads.
For many tribal nations, white buffalo are seen as both a blessing and a warning, reminding humans that they must live in harmony with the natural world.
White bison brought surge of interest to Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
The white bison calf was born at the 6,000-acre refuge in early May, bringing hundreds of visitors to the small town just 30 minutes east of Des Moines. At the time, Scott Gilje, the refuge manager, said the refuge had never had a white bison before, and white bison in general are very rare.
Reports of bison ‘bullying’ were likely ‘calves being calves,’ refuge says
In the days before the calf’s death, some refuge visitors went to social media to comment on what appeared to be “bullying” of the white bison and an injury one one of its back legs.
Gilje told the Register that he had seen this discussion on social media and that the video he saw appeared to be “calves being calves” and playing together harmlessly. He also said the refuge examined the calf’s back leg and did find an injury there, but that there is no known reason as to what caused the death yet.
Isabelle Foland is a communities reporter for the Register. Reach her at ifoland@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Neal Smith refuge investigates death of rare white bison calf
Reporting by Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Isabelle Foland, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
