Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Four white bison losing rare color

Four white bison losing rare color

May 18, 2003 - 23:45:10 CDT

By the Associated Press

WESTHOPE -- Four white bison born last year here and at Antler are losing their rare color.

Debby and Dwaine Kirk say their once-white calves are now brown, yellow or black -- but the bison still have small patches of white showing.

The Kirks have two herds of bison, one at Antler and one near Westhope.

The birthing of the white calves, three bulls and a heifer, started in mid-August and continued into September last year.

Four bison cows each gave birth to a white calf. Odds of one white bison birth are pegged at one in 6 million.

"The only thing that was consistent is that when a calf was born, we had a thunderstorm the previous day," Debby Kirk said.

Calving usually occurs during the spring, but the four white calves were born in late summer.

All four calves are in good health, Kirk said.

Since the arrival of the white calves, the Kirks have had visitors from all over, including many American Indians, who believe white bison are sacred.

"We have had the news media from near and far, foreign visitors from as far away as Australia," Kirk said.

Because of all the visitors, the Kirks have taken out special insurance policies on the four white bison. The entire herd of about 130 animals is insured.

However, because four are white, special insurance policies had to be drawn up.

The bison have somewhat adjusted to strangers, but if someone gets too close to the corral fence, a cow will make a threatening noise and paw with her front feet. Sometimes a cow will charge against the fence.

"We warn people you are at your own risk by getting to close to a mother and her calf," Kirk said.

The bison are all native North Dakota stock. The Kirks keep many of the bison calves for future breeding stock. Others are sold as breeding stock and for butchering.

Kirk said it's possible their herds could produce more white calves.

News > Local

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" Dear Ms. Grantier: I was impressed with your fine article, but it left me wondering about "your Don Falconer." I am an architect who designed a house for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Falconer in Soquel, California. Don had a history here in the Santa Cruz area, and worked as Vice President for the local County Bank. I wrote a book which contains some drawings and photos of the "Falconer House," and since I have been trying to locate my old client, your article was shared with me. Do you think your Don and my Don falconer could be the same person? I will follow with a message to see part of my book containing the Falconer House, but the chapter you will see does not list the aforementioned house. Best - Earl Nisbet. "http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01609.htm" "

Earl Nisbet wrote on Jul 13, 2006 8:12 PM:

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