Lightning Medicine Cloud, a rare white buffalo born on the Lakota Buffalo Ranch in Greenville, Texas, in May 2011 was found slain and skinned a few days ago. The next day its mother was also found dead. Weeks earlier its father apparently had been fatally struck by lightning. Hunt County police officials are investigating, along with the Texas Rangers and other state agencies. White buffalo are sacred to the Lakota Sioux people who believe the birth of such an animal is a spiritual call for peace and unity. They also are very rare; only about 1 out of a million buffalo are albino.
Lightning Medicine Cloud’s arrival was met with much fanfare last year. The Lakota Buffalo Ranch named the male calf in recognition of its birth during a powerful thunderstorm. Ranch owner Arby Little Soldier hasn’t yet provided any specifics about the animal’s death, but is offering a $5,000 reward leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of Lightning Medicine Cloud and his mother. The ranch intends to proceed with a ceremony May 11 – 12 that would have honored the calf’s first birthday. Instead, it will be a memorial service.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department at (903) 453-6800 and ask for either Sheriff Randy Meeks or Lt. Tommy Grandfield.
Chief Writing Wolf 