Yellowstone National Park Officials Report Rare White Buffalo Missing Since Its Birth
Yellowstone National Park officials reported on Friday that a rare white buffalo, considered sacred among Native American communities, has not been seen since its birth on June 4. This event symbolizes a major milestone for both the buffalo recovery program and Native American prophecy fulfillment.
The birth of this white buffalo, which fulfilled a Lakota prophecy indicating better times, is the first of its kind ever recorded within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. Creating history, this occurrence was confirmed by park officials based on photo and sighting reports given by multiple park visitors, professional wildlife watchers, commercial guides, and researchers.
All About The White Buffalo
Rarity defines the white buffalo. In the wild, the birth of a white buffalo, or bison, is an event that transpires once in every million births, making this event an extraordinary occurrence indeed. The calf earned the name ‘Wakan Gli,’ rendering ‘Return Sacred’ in Lakota language. However, the whereabouts of this rare calf remain undetermined.
On an unfortunate note, the mortality rate is high among these spectacular creatures. Approximately one in five calves die soon after birth owing to natural hazards. Officials refrained from commenting directly on whether they believe Wakan Gli has died but cannot help acknowledging the grim reality of these statistics. Yet, no fresh sightings or evidence of its existence have been reported since June 4. Yellowstone National Park remains one of the last strongholds for free-roaming American bison, and the search for Wakan Gli continues within it.
A Sacred Ceremony
Earlier this week, Native American leaders conducted a ceremonial event, honoring the sacred birth of this white buffalo and christening it. For the Lakota, the birth of a white buffalo is not just a cause for celebration, but it bears the weight of prophecy, a call for the preservation of Earth and its animals on a grand scale.
The calf was born in the Lamar Valley – a popular spot for wildlife viewing in Yellowstone. Like many young creatures in the wild, this white buffalo calf faces the constant threats of predators, river currents, diseases, among other perils. The suspense surrounding this calf’s fate has led to growing concern as weeks have passed since its birth with no further sightings.
A Message of Hope
Mike Mease, co-founder of the Buffalo Field Campaign, maintains an optimistic outlook as he believes Wakan Gli continues to survive somewhere within the park, away from the bustling roads and pathways crowded with visitors. His belief is also fueled by the recent sighting of a grizzly bear with an unusually large brood of five cubs, later to vanish without a trace as well.
For Mease, whether Wakan Gli is dead or alive is far less important when compared to the profound message its birth brings. Fulfillment of the prophecy signals changes in the times we live in, and echoes a powerful message – a call for urgent action to bring about the necessary changes for safeguarding our future.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
