A rare white buffalo calf that is considered sacred among Native American tribes and believed to bring good luck has gone missing in Yellowstone.
The calf’s birth on June 4 was regarded as a “natural phenomenon” thought to fulfil a prophecy for better times, with about 500 people in attendance at a celebration held by the Lakota Native American tribe.
But Yellowstone National Park officials issued a warning on Friday, revealing that the white buffalo has not been seen since its birth.
“Park staff have been unable to locate the calf,” Yellowstone said. “To our knowledge, there have been no confirmed sightings by park visitors since June 4.”
It is not known if the calf, named Wakan Gli, which means Return Sacred in Lakota, is still alive. While the park declined to comment on that possibility, it said in a statement that about one in five buffalo calves die shortly after birth due to natural hazards.
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The birth was the first of its kind recorded in the park, which is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the American bison. The rare occurrence was documented by many park visitors, as well as researchers and wildlife excerpts who were at Yellowstone. The white varient makes up only one out of every 1 million buffalo births.
Erin Braaten, a local nature photographer, captured some images of the white calf with its mother. “We missed this cow bison giving birth by a few minutes to a white bison calf,” she wrote in a social media post.
Braaten reportedly looked for the calf for days after its birth without success.
According to a Lakota legend, the white calf brings hope to the tribe, but is also a sign that the environment must be protected.
“It’s up to each and every one of you to make it happen for the future of our children. We must come together and bring that good energy back,” Chief Arvol Looking Horse said, according to Associated Press.
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Park officials have been approached for comment.
