The rare white bison calf born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge has died. Video above: KCCI gets up close with bison at Neal Smith National Wildlife RefugeOfficials with the refuge in Prairie City shared the news on its Facebook page Wednesday.Only about 1 in 1 million bison calves are born white, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which said Iowa’s calf was born on April 30. They’re considered a sacred symbol of hope and renewal by many Native American tribes. “We recognize the cultural significance that a white bison holds for many tribal nations and are working to communicate with them in a timely and respectful manner,” officials said in the death announcement. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are gathering information and evaluating the circumstances surrounding the calf’s death.”Photos of the white bison born at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
PRAIRIE CITY, Iowa —
The rare white bison calf born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge has died.
Video above: KCCI gets up close with bison at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Officials with the refuge in Prairie City shared the news on its Facebook page Wednesday.
Only about 1 in 1 million bison calves are born white, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which said Iowa’s calf was born on April 30. They’re considered a sacred symbol of hope and renewal by many Native American tribes.
“We recognize the cultural significance that a white bison holds for many tribal nations and are working to communicate with them in a timely and respectful manner,” officials said in the death announcement. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners are gathering information and evaluating the circumstances surrounding the calf’s death.”
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Photos of the white bison born at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Linda Frazier
A rare white bison shown just days after its birth in the spring of 2026 at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City, Iowa. Officials announced on June 17 that it had died.
Monica Blaser/U.S. Department of the Interior
A rare white bison calf was born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City.
Linda Frazier
Only about 1 in 1 million bison calves are born white, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which said Iowa’s calf was born on April 30. They’re considered a sacred symbol of hope and renewal by many Native American tribes.
Linda Frazier
A rare white bison calf, shown at just a few days old, grazes at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on May 3, 2026.
Linda Frazier
A rare white bison calf, shown at just a few days old, grazes at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on May 3, 2026.
Linda Frazier
A rare white bison calf, shown at just a few days old, grazes at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on May 3, 2026.
Carson Galloway Photography
Carson Galloway shared this photo of the rare white bison born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
Carson Galloway Photography
Carson Galloway shared this photo of the rare white bison born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.
Carson Galloway Photography
Carson Galloway shared this photo of the rare white bison born this spring at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.