Rare white bison born in Connecticut

July 19, 2012 1:00 pm • Last Updated: July 19, 2012 1:56 pm

A white bison calf walks in a field with another bison calf at the Mohawk Bison farm in Goshen, Conn., on Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Hundreds of people, including tribal elders from South Dakota, are expected to attend naming ceremonies later this month at the Goshen farm where the animal was born on June 16.

Goshen (AP) — The birth of a white bison is bringing Native Americans who consider it a sacred event to celebrate at a farm in northwestern Connecticut.

Hundreds of people, including tribal elders from South Dakota, are expected to attend naming ceremonies later this month at the Goshen farm where the animal was born on June 16.

White bison figure prominently in the lore of many tribes who see them as symbols of hope and unity.

Experts say they are as rare as one in 10 million.

The bull calf is off-white — not an albino — and farmer Peter Fay says he is certain the bloodlines are pure, although he has sent its DNA to be tested to confirm there was no intermingling with cattle.

A white bison calf walks in a field with another bison at the Mohawk Bison farm in Goshen, Conn., on Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Hundreds of people, including tribal elders from South Dakota, are expected to attend naming ceremonies later this month at the Goshen farm where the animal was born on June 16.

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU