For Immediate Release - June 7, 2024
Contact: Mike Mease, Campaign Coordinator, Buffalo Field Campaign, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (406) 830-7493, (406) 646-0070
James Holt, Executive Director Buffalo Field Campaign, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 208-791-3306
West Yellowstone, MT – On June 4th, a sacred white buffalo calf was born in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, home to the only continuously wild buffalo population in the United States. The existence of this sacred being is held in the highest regard by Indigenous peoples across North America.
The birth of the white buffalo calf in Yellowstone comes as many nations and faiths prepare for World Peace and Prayer Day on Friday, June 21, 2024.
“Black nose, black hooves, and black eyes, this is a rare event,” according to Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th generation keeper of the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. “We must protect Tatanka (Buffalo). All nations should come together at their sacred places and unify with us in prayer on that day. We can do more to heal Grandmother Earth and protect her sacred children. The birth of this calf is both a blessing and warning. We must do more.”
“We've been waiting for this day,” said James Holt, Buffalo Field Campaign's executive director. “This is a sign that conducting business as usual in Yellowstone isn't enough. Along with Chief Arvol, we call on tribes and all people, to help us protect the lifeways of the wild buffalo herds in the Yellowstone ecosystem.”
Buffalo Field Campaign calls for greater respect and protection be given to our National Mammal in Yellowstone National Park, and on the millions of acres of National Forest surrounding the park. Protecting buffalo means giving them the ability to migrate and live freely as all other wildlife in the ecosystem. Today, Yellowstone National Park suppresses their population by trapping buffalo inside the park, and the State of Montana confines buffalo to a small portion of their National Forest range, where they are hunted.
This week, Yellowstone National Park released it's management plan for buffalo that will be in place for decades. It is critical that the people use their voice to tell Sec. of the Interior Deb Haaland, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly, they must do better and do more to secure a future for our country’s last wild buffalo herds.
Learn more about the park’s plan here: www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/what-we-do-2/yellowstone-bison-management-plan
