Yellowstone National Park officials are uncertain whether the rare white buffalo calf, named Wakan Gli, is still alive after its June 4 birth.
Yellowstone National Park officials announced on Friday that the rare white buffalo calf, named Wakan Gli, which means “Return Sacred” in Lakota, has not been seen since its birth on June 4. The birth of this buffalo, which fulfills a Lakota prophecy that predicts better times ahead, is considered a landmark event in the history of the park. This marks the first recorded birth of a white buffalo in Yellowstone.
White buffaloes are extraordinarily rare, with one being born in the wild approximately once every 1 million births, or even less often. As a result, Wakan Gli’s birth is viewed as a significant moment in both buffalo conservation and Native American culture. The birth was celebrated as a symbol of hope and spiritual renewal for many tribes, who regard the white buffalo as sacred.
However, the fate of Wakan Gli remains uncertain. Officials have expressed that, while they do not know whether the calf is still alive, they are aware that roughly one in five buffalo calves born each spring die shortly after birth due to natural hazards. This statistic has raised concerns among park authorities and Native American communities alike.
While Yellowstone officials declined to directly address whether they believe the calf has died, they did note that it is not unusual for a buffalo calf to disappear or perish early in its life. The park has a delicate balance of ensuring that wildlife is able to live and thrive in their natural environment, but harsh realities like this are an inherent part of nature.
The birth of Wakan Gli was met with excitement and joy within the Native American community. Many saw it as a positive omen, as the white buffalo holds deep spiritual significance. According to Lakota tradition, the birth of a white buffalo is said to herald better times for the people, offering a sense of renewal and peace.
The uncertainty surrounding the calf’s survival has left both the park and tribal leaders anxiously awaiting updates. The loss of such a rare and sacred animal would be deeply felt, but the birth of Wakan Gli, regardless of its outcome, has already become a symbol of hope for the future of buffalo conservation.
As of now, Yellowstone officials have not provided additional information on the calf’s whereabouts or its current health status. The public continues to hold its breath, hoping that this rare and sacred animal survives to fulfill its cultural and ecological significance.