A rare white bison dies unexpectedly at Wildlife Prairie Park

PEORIA – A rare white bison has died at Wildlife Prairie Park.

Tatanka, 5, died less than a week after he started showing signs of illness.

“We are devastated because it happened so quickly, despite our best efforts,” Roberta English, the Wildlife Prairie Park CEO, said.

Staff first noticed something might be wrong when Tatanka didn’t show up for his regular feeding on Sept. 24. Because sluggish behavior is not unusual during mating season, when bulls tire easily, staff waited until the second day to consult park veterinarians, who gave Tatanka an antibiotic. When he did not improve, park veterinarians thought he might be suffering from an aggressive parasite and administered other medications.

“We were hopeful this drug was going to help, or at least get him strong enough for a more hands-on exam,” English said. “Unfortunately, he died before that could happen.”

An autopsy was conducted and samples have been sent to the Iowa State Veterinary School of Medicine. Tatanka lived separately from the main herd, but the staff members are monitoring the rest of the bison and elk for similar symptoms to prevent potential spread of illness, English said.

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Tatanka and Lakota, a female white bison, came to Wildlife Prairie Park in 2020. They have one offspring, Tallulah, who is also white. White bison are rare and significant for many Indigenous people.

Previously:Big Mike the bison, a favorite at Wildlife Prairie Park, has died

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Rare animal dies at Wildlife Prairie Park near Peoria