Rare white buffalo calf died of natural causes, sheriff reports

[douglas9]

A rare white buffalo calf, whose Lakota Sioux owner had reported finding it skinned and mutilated in May, died of a bacterial infection called blackleg, the Hunt County sheriff reported Tuesday.

Arby Little Soldier said he found the nonalbino Lightning Medicine Cloud dead in May just shy of its first birthday and its mother, Buffalo Woman, the next day on his ranch near Greenville.

His description of the circumstances led to outcries to find the killers. Contributions to a reward fund grew to more than $45,000, according to a news report in May.

The deaths were due to "natural causes," Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said in a news release.

"We are closing this case."

According to Lakota Sioux lore, the goddess of peace once appeared in the form of a white buffalo calf.

Little Soldier could not be reached for comment.

Meeks declined to answer questions.

n/t

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/08/21/4197001/white-buffalo-calf-reportedly.html

[kickysnana]

1. Info on Blackleg

"Blackleg is almost entirely preventable by vaccination. The most commonly used clostridial vaccination in cattle is the 7-way type which protects against Clostridium chauveoi (blackleg), Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordelli (malignant edema), Clostridium novyi (black disease), and three types of Clostridium perfringens (enterotoxemia)."

more
http://cattletoday.info/blackleg.htm

More information is needed for me to formulate an opinion but it is sad whether it was illness or foul play.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

2. It is still sad, even if this is how the little guy died

I'm curious about the skinning though. Could someone have noticed it dead and decided to take the pelt?

I just hope it doesn't have something to do with the land owner trying to cover up a lack of vet care for the herd. I hate to even think that way, but in this day and age, it is second nature to ask that kind of question. On the other hand, is this a way for the local authorities to close the book on something they didn't want to deal with? - Again, second nature to ask now-a-days.


Whatever the cause, hopefully both he and his mom are having fun on a never ending pasture with lots of other little ones to play with.