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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, June 25, 2004 - 5:36 pm
Heartwarming Story, shows you’re never too old! It didn't fit any of the hairball threads, but the story gave interesting some facts I've never known before. We've also got some interesting stuff going on about Luna the Killer Whale they're trying to send home to his pod. So maybe this will be a good spot to put them. (If there's somewhere else I should put them, will someone please let me know? Thanx!)} Seattle Post Intelligencer http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/178256_octopus17.html Thursday, June 17, 2004 After period of suspense, Aurora the octopus lays eggs THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- J-1 was doing more than whispering sweet nothings to Aurora as the two clutched each other in a deep embrace in a secluded corner last month. It turns out that J-1 had all the right moves. Aurora is happily laying long strings of nearly translucent eggs in her tank. "She basically stays there hanging on the wall, and the eggs are extruded and sent out of her mantle," Richard Hocking, aquarium curator at the Alaska SeaLife Center, said yesterday. Aurora, a giant Pacific octopus, began laying eggs last weekend by dribbling them down the sides of her tank. Lately, she's taken to laying discrete clusters. She could lay 60,000 to 100,000 eggs -- about what's expected from a giant Pacific octopus. Aquarists at the center could only wonder what went on the morning of May 11 when the aging J-1 -- who up until then had lived a strictly bachelor life -- was introduced to the slightly younger Aurora. During their brief encounter, when they were both gripping the back of the tank and his body nearly covered hers, did J-1 pass his spermatophore packet to Aurora? Did she accept it? Would she choose to conceive? That's right, female giant Pacific octopuses can choose to conceive in what is known as delayed fertilization. Apparently, J-1 had the right stuff. "I am amazed by this animal's vitality," Hocking said of J-1, an 81-pound octopus which at more than 5 years old is considered elderly. "This animal has a lot of vitality, more than any other I've seen in an octopus." In the wild, giant Pacific octopus females stop eating when caring for eggs, weaken and die about the same time as the eggs hatch. Hocking said Aurora will continue to be given food, but the inevitable will happen. Her immune system eventually will shut down, and she will die. The only question is when. In the meantime, aquarists at the center are talking with colleagues at the Seattle Aquarium and the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport to find out what to expect if the eggs do produce young in two or three months.
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:53 am
Bis, I've been following the octopus story for several weeks when they first put the two together and hoped for the best. I'm eagerly awaiting the final outcome of babies.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 9:06 pm
Glad to hear, OpheliasGM so that when something comes up we're more apt to get it posted. One question that I can't figure out though, WHERE would they hope to get foster homes for "60,000 to 100,000 eggs" - THAT'S potential babies? Being in an aquarium, they prolly aren't subject to preditors to reduce their numbers. And they're prolly gonna turn into BIG babies too! I never realized that the female would die. No wonder nature gave her some form of birth control. Gives "Just Say No" a whole different perspective, LOL
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 9:15 pm
I would think that just dumping the 'fry' into a bay would be the way to go. I imagine they are a very important part of the food chain.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 7:01 pm
What do you mean about "dumping the 'fry' into a bay"? Like, out of the frying pan, into the bay? I'm just not clear about the meaning of the word 'fry'. Maybe keep some for various aquariums and sending the rest into the wild to fend for themselves? That would make sense to me. Lots more sushi for the rest of us!
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 7:07 pm
Poor Luna the Killer Whale needs to become a REAL whale! I don’t know if you have heard or been following the antics of Luna, our errant Killer Whale who became separated from his pod a few years ago up here in Washington State and Canada. Not so long ago they successfully reunited ‘Springer’, another wandering whale, and we are all delighted! The difference between the two whales is that it’s a Matriarchal society - Springer’s mother had died, but Luna’s mother is STILL ALIVE and roaming with their pod. That leaves more hope for successful reuniting….however… Luna loves people and boats (especially ones with dogs) and thrives on human attention. I believe in one instance last year a boat became stranded because Luna playfully decided to move it around. He’s received at least two gashes from boat propellers and there’s a lot of concern for his safety, not to mention the safety of the boaters. This month they have been seriously trying to capture him and reunite him with his pod. But an Indian Tribe has circumvented, luring Luna away with their canoes and paddles, since they believe he is their Tribal Chief reincarnated. (Which, frankly, to me looks like a real possibility, JMO). I wish you could have seen the films on the news last week. Luna was brushing up against the canoe, the Indians were scratching his head like a VERY BIG puppy dog, and RUBBING HIS TEETH and gums. You could see Luna was blissfully “in happy”! Unfortunately, I agree that he needs to get reunited with his pod and become a WILD whale again. He may like the attention, but he could find himself in an aquarium. I sure hope the ‘powers that be’ will start really working with the Indian Tribes! Seems more humane and less stressful to lead him with a canoe to his pod than hoisting and yanking him into a truck. In today’s Seattle Post Intelligencer they had one of the best articles I’ve read about the situation that I will post next.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 7:10 pm
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Thursday, July 1, 2004 http://www.seattlepi.com/local/180295_luna01.html Luna's rescue turns into a tug of war Canadian government accused of leaving out tribes By LISA STIFFLER SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER What started out as a well-intentioned rescue mission -- to capture a killer whale stranded in British Columbia and reunite him with his Puget Sound relatives -- has dissolved into a public-relations nightmare. Forced to suspend the operation a week ago after running into stiff resistance from local Indians, Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans is now being chastised by members of its own international advisory panel. The plan to capture the orca, named Luna, was abruptly called off after a band of Vancouver Island Indians derailed the effort for more than a week by entering Nootka Sound in dugout canoes and drawing the whale to them by making a racket -- singing and banging paddles. Critics say the aquatic tug of war waged by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht band with the government may have been averted had First Nation representatives been included in the planning process, as recommended. "The band has a legitimate grievance here," said Paul Spong, a member of the advisory panel and executive director of OrcaLab, a B.C.-based research group. Some of the 17-member panel's independent scientists are also publicly questioning the underlying strategy calling for Luna's capture and urging consideration of an alternative reunification plan, including one supported by the Native Canadians. That alternative calls for leading the orca by boat from the northwest coast of Vancouver Island to the Puget Sound pod from which he became separated three years ago. Although some responsible for the capture say the Mowachaht/Muchalaht protest was "unexpected," the band's position on the matter was no secret. At least as early as last fall, Indian leaders told the government they were opposed to his capture. They said they had spiritual and cultural ties to Luna and wanted to be included in the relocation planning. Spong said the government "heard what the band said and went along on their merry way -- and ended up in a situation where there were decisions made by (the government) exclusively, and the band was informed of the decision." Now the $450,000 project is on hold -- the underwater net pens have been dismantled and the crew of some two dozen orca experts has departed -- while Fisheries and Oceans officials and First Nation representatives attempt to negotiate a solution. "Mowachaht/Muchalaht went through the process of meeting with (Fisheries and Oceans) and writing (to) them and expressing their concerns, which were ignored at their peril," said Roger Dunlop, the band's fisheries biologist. "You're starting to see some people asserting their rights," he said. "This was something that couldn't be tolerated." Fisheries and Oceans officials say they respect the band's cultural ties to the whale, but the bottom line was keeping people safe from Luna and vice versa. The lonesome 4-year-old orca, which has become a tourist attraction in Gold River, B.C., is drawn to people, boats, seaplanes and dogs. "Our No. 1 concern was public safety," agency spokeswoman Lara Sloan said. Sloan said government officials met with Indian leaders "many times" and had "many discussions with them as well." They were not given seats on the advisory panel, she said, because it addressed scientific rather than cultural issues. Officials with the Vancouver Aquarium, which was responsible for carrying out the capture, were disappointed the project wasn't completed, said spokeswoman Angela Nielsen. The effort was short some $37,000 going in, and now the aquarium's board will have to determine if they can afford to continue working on it, she said. Members of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht have ceremonially accepted the orca, which they call Tsux'iit, into their chief's family. But they still say they could support his relocation at the right time and under the right conditions. Some members of the band believe the orca carries the spirit of a former chief, who died about the time the whale appeared. According to tradition, members mourn the death of a loved one for four years and some have suggested that it would be better to leave Luna where he is until that period has passed. The Vancouver Island Indians object to plans to catch Luna and hold him in an underwater net pen before trucking him to another pen near Victoria and releasing him when his pod swims into acoustic range. They also oppose contingency plans to possibly send Luna to an aquarium if the effort fails. The band's chief, Mike Maquinna, has offered to lead Luna down the Vancouver coast in canoes to reunite him with his family. He wants to see the original plan scrapped and the process started over. Some of the advisory panel's scientists also supported the idea of leading Luna by boat. "That was my plan from the beginning," said Ken Balcomb, executive director of the Friday Harbor-based Center for Whale Research. Catching Luna in a pen "wasn't the preferred way, as far as I was concerned. I don't think there was a consensus." But the Canadian government rejected the lead-the-whale approach. Sloan, of Fisheries and Oceans, said that would pose risks to people involved in the effort and make him too comfortable following boats -- a behavior they don't want to encourage. Supporters of the alternative counter that the band has safely navigated the island's coastal waters for thousands of years. They say Luna could be conditioned to follow unique boats that he is unlikely to encounter when back with his pod -- either a motorboat with special jets that he seems to like, or canoes paddled by singing band members. "It's worth having a shot at," said Spong, of OrcaLab. U.S. officials and scientists say they still support the whale-reunion effort and hope the current stalemate can be resolved. "I urge ... Fisheries and Oceans to fully engage the concerned First Nations and include their views in a revised reunification proposal," said U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who worked to secure $100,000 for the operation. "This effort remains vital to public safety and the well-being of Luna, and we stand ready to do our part once Luna is released into American waters," she said in a statement Tuesday. Luna's pod is expected to remain in Puget Sound waters at least until fall. Scientists are urging governments on both sides of the border not to rush the process -- and some wonder if the risk Luna poses in Nootka Sound is being overblown. "I didn't see any threat to people," Balcomb said of past visits to see Luna. "He's in total control of himself and what he's pushing around." Besides, he said, there are still relatives out in the ocean that could swim past Luna's location and possibly entice him back. Almost everyone agrees on one thing: It would be best for Luna to eventually return to his pod, where he still has an important role to play. Orca pods have a defined social structure with offspring spending their lives with their mothers. The three Puget Sound pods -- J, K and L -- come together annually and mate only with members of the two other pods. Luna, whose scientific designation is L-98 (pod name and birth order), could add to the genetic diversity of the local orcas. "Normally, a male has a variety of functions," said David Bain, a University of Washington professor and member of the advisory panel. "One of the most important is he's a baby sitter for one of his younger siblings." Luna's mother recently gave birth to what appears to be a male orca. Older brothers will let their siblings swim in their wake, which is less tiring. That reduces their need to nurse and cuts the workload of the mother, allowing her to reproduce more often. "Presumably, the chances of survival of that new sibling would be better if he stayed around or reintegrates," Bain said. "He's essentially dead to his pod."
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Thursday, July 01, 2004 - 8:51 pm
Re: The octopi...the NW waters are teaming with them. In no way are they endangered. I called the babies 'fry' because I don't know the correct name for them. I don't know how many survive out of a brood of 80 to 100 thousand, but because of there being so many, I suppose most of them get eaten and are an important part of the food chain.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, July 02, 2004 - 4:42 pm
Thanks OphiliasGM! Makes sense, probably that's why nature intends for her to produce so many, knowing most will be part of the food chain! Ahhh, I checked Websters and see where you are coming from: Fry a. Small fish, especially young, recently hatched fish. b. The young of certain other animals.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, July 02, 2004 - 4:46 pm
Oh No Luna! You've Done It Again! From today's Post Intelligencer: Friday, July 2, 2004 Luna the whale breaks boat's rudder THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GOLD RIVER, B.C. -- An overly friendly young killer whale that Canadian fisheries officials have been trying to relocate has disabled a sailboat. Luna broke the rudder off a sailboat in Mooyah Bay on Wednesday. The Canadian coast guard responded, and the boat was towed into a nearby marina by an aluminum boat belonging to local Indians. The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans decided earlier this year that, because Luna was a danger to himself and the public, the orca should be caught, relocated to a bay 200 miles south of here near Victoria, then released when his U.S. relatives were close enough for him to hear their calls. But the plan was put on hold last week after a dispute escalated with local Indians who don't want the 5-year-old whale captured. They believe the whale embodies the spirit of their late chief.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 7:37 pm
Koko the Gorilla Calls for the Dentist August 8, 2004 08:24 PM EDT U.S. News - August 8, 2004 WOODSIDE, Calif. - When Koko the gorilla used the American Sign Language gesture for pain and pointed to her mouth, 12 specialists, including three dentists, sprang into action. The result? Her first full medical examination in about 20 years, an extracted tooth and a clean bill of health. About a month ago, Koko, a 300-plus-pound ape who became famous for mastering more than 1,000 signs, began telling her handlers at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside she was in pain. They quickly constructed a pain chart, offering Koko a scale from one to 10. When Koko started pointing to nine or 10 too often, a dental appointment was made. And because anesthesia would be involved, her handlers used the opportunity to give Koko a head-to-toe exam. "She's quite articulate," volunteer Johnpaul Slater said. "She'll tell us how bad she's feeling, how bad the pain is. It looked like it was time to do something." Twelve specialists - a Stanford cardiologist, three anesthesiologists, three dentists, an ear and throat specialist, two veterinarians, a gastroenterologist and a gynecologist - volunteered to help. "It's not often that we get to work on a celebrity," said Dr. David Liang, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford. "Probably, Koko is less demanding." The team came to Koko Saturday, bringing portable X-ray and ultrasound machines. They set up shop at her "apartment," which looks like a remodeled box car, complete with a makeshift toilet, television, DVD player and lots of toys. After four hours of tests - including a colonoscopy, gynecological exam, dental work, X-rays, and ultrasounds - doctors pronounced her fit. Koko, who celebrated her 33rd birthday July 4, was due for a checkup. While gorillas in captivity are known to live into their 50s, they are susceptible to heart disease and a thickening of the arteries. Koko and Ndume, her partner of 11 years (he doesn't "speak"), have been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby, and the doctors thought the checkup could let them know whether she had any biological problems preventing it. She doesn't. Her teacher, Francine Patterson, was at her side when the anesthesiologist prepared to put her under in the morning, and apparently Koko asked to meet her specialists. They crowded around her, and Koko, who plays favorites, asked one woman wearing red to come closer. The woman handed her a business card, which Koko promptly ate. Otherwise, Koko was calm, Liang said. The Gorilla Foundation has studied gorilla intelligence by teaching American Sign Language to Koko and another gorilla, Michael, who died in 2000. --- On the Net: The Gorilla Foundation: www.koko.org
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Bearware
Member
07-12-2002
| Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 7:52 pm
This is terrific! Thanks for sharing! What a wonder, don't you think?
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, August 09, 2004 - 10:53 am
I have always been fascinated with Koko. Well, ever since she was born. I am old enough to be Koko's mother.
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Cassie
Member
07-15-2000
| Monday, August 09, 2004 - 11:14 am
LOL, Juju. (She is a fascinating creature though, isn't she?)
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Cinnamongirl
Member
01-10-2001
| Monday, August 09, 2004 - 1:36 pm
Thanks for all the cool info biscottiii. I too believe that Luna is the reincarnation of Chief Maquinna. (Thats the name of my puppy, pic in profile). Before the chief dies he tells his tribe he will be reincarnated as a killer whale and then poof, Luna appears. I'd like to think he is anyways Hopefully this fall he'll be reunited with his pod.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, September 24, 2004 - 8:47 pm
Yikes! Cinnamongirl, I just realized that I haven't checked in on this thread in ages! SWEET puppy, I can see the resemblance to Luna myself. Frankly, I rather believe Luna is the reincarnation myself. I sure wish the agencies involved would have placed more emphasis on the tribal help to reunite Luna with his pod. If they had, I believe he would be swimming with the whole fam damily, doing his 'big brother' babysitting chores already!
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, September 24, 2004 - 8:54 pm
White buffalo dies. Truly sad story. Here is also the link to Miracle’s webpage, showing pictures of her - so heartwarming! Wonderful reading about how her owners (Non-Indian) made her available for everyone to see and share, without any commercialism involved. http://www.homestead.com/WhiteBuffaloMiracle/ Seattle Post-Intelligencer Newspaper Friday, September 24, 2004 · Last updated 6:26 p.m. PT Rare buffalo, sacred to some Indians, dies THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JANESVILLE, Wis. -- A buffalo considered sacred by some American Indians because it was born white has died of natural causes at the age of 10, its owner said. The animal, named Miracle, drew as many as 2,000 visitors a day in the year after its birth in 1994. Miracle died Sunday and was buried in an unmarked grave, its owner, Dave Heider, told WCLO-AM of Janesville on Friday. "She meant a lot to a lot of people," Heider said. Although its hide became darker as it aged, some associated Miracle with the white buffalo of American Indian prophecies. According to lore, such an animal will reunite all the races of man and restore balance to the world. Some tribe members who visited Heider's rural southern Wisconsin farm to see the animal had expected its coat to someday turn from brown back to white. The female buffalo's offspring included four surviving female buffalo, all born without white coloring.
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 8:46 am
I am crying and so so so sad. I visited Miracle with my Mom in 96. Of all times in this world we need her most. I am hoping she will be that Angel we will need/have now.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 8:19 pm
Oh my Moondance, I am so totally impressed that you've actually seen her! I saw pictures in People's Magazine when she was born; it was so awesome these owners recognized what a sacred blessing had landed in their pasture and that they were so generously willing to share. Allowing massive numbers of strangers to come onto their property. Not expecting any monetary reward! Not selling Miracle, when they could have probably made a fortune, allowing her to live her life until her natural end. When I read the part about "was buried in an unmarked grave", I believe that was a further sign of respect. If anyone has read the book (perhaps mentioned in the movie) about Seabiscuit the race horse, the owner there also buried him in an unmarked grave - only telling his sons the location before he died. That way there is no opportunity for anyone to disrespect or bother the resting place.
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 10:57 am
I was visiting my Mom in Cincinnati and on a whim we drove up to see her ...I think it was 7 hours both ways and we did in a day and drove that night LOL. I am Native American and very proud of my heritage so it was very special to My Mom and I. The family is incredible. They allowed Native Americans to visit, have a ceremony, meditate, bring blessings anytime they wanted. I feel so honored to have met her. She was in large field like area with a wooden ranch fence and there was hardly any room to approach it with all the gifts from different tribes. I did go up to the fence in an exposed corner and Miracle actually came towards me. I reached out to touch her and was reprimanded...ooopps There was a small Native gift shop where we made a donation to the family and my Mom bought me a silver ring/band with turtles engraved on it. It is the most precious ring I have other than my wedding rings. My Mom and I have been estranged since my wedding ... I think this is sign we need to reconnect. Thanks again for posting this Biscottiii
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 6:30 pm
Oh Moonie, I'm sorry to hear about that.. I think it is a sign, too. Might be healing in many ways.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 7:36 pm
Ahhh Moondance. Thank YOU for sharing! Quote: "According to lore, such an animal will reunite all the races of man and restore balance to the world." Yes, maybe it's a sign. I'm sure your Mom would appreciate knowing this sad event has happened, especially given the experience you both shared together. Good Luck! Bisc
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Monday, September 27, 2004 - 1:33 pm
I too was very sorry to read that Miracle has left this world. Moondance: Thank you so much for sharing your story about visiting Miracle and I hope you and your mom find your way back to each other soon.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Monday, September 27, 2004 - 9:33 pm
In reading through Miracle's website, I ran onto another page about Miracle's Sire from shortly after her birth in 1994. Quite an interesting story, in itself, which shows it truly was a miracle that she even came into existence at all. http://www.homestead.com/WhiteBuffaloMiracle/MiracleSireMarvin.html The Death of Marvin, Sire of Miracle, the Sacred White Buffalo.... The Beloit Daily News First published September 2, 1994 By Neal White, City Editor Bull That Sired White Buffalo Dead Just Days After Rare Calf Born JANESVILLE -- Nestled beneath her mother's legs, the white buffalo calf stared through the fence at her father. Less than two weeks old, she would occasionally call out in a low groan as if beckoning the large bull to rise. Only his spirit rose on Thursday; the sire of the white buffalo calf had died. Since her birth Aug. 20, on David and Valerie Heider's 45acre exotic animal farm in rural Janesville, the white buffalo calf has drawn nationwide attention. With the odds estimated at more than 1 in 10 million, experts with the National Buffalo Association had believed the gene needed to produce a white calf had been lost when the buffalo was nearly driven to extinction. The Heider's calf is the first living white buffalo born in more than 50 years. To Native Americans, she is also being revered as a prophecy come true. David discovered the bull Thursday morning while doing routine chores. He had died in the pen, down on the lower part of the 24acre buffalo pasture. David spent most of the morning alone, grieving the loss of an animal, and what it had come to represent. In order to produce a white calf, both parents must carry the gene for that trait. With the bull dead, the odds of having another white calf seemed to have died with him. Gaining his composure, by midmorning David drove to where his son, Corey was working and broke the news. Not knowing why the 6yearold bull had died, the family decided to call a veterinarian and perform an autopsy. It's been an extremely difficult day," Valerie said. We're not the only ones grieving today," she added, pointing to the 13 buffalo surrounding the pen. Sensing the bull's death, several of the cows stood guard at the edge of the pen, as if waiting to pay their last respects. Others charged along the fence line, running back and forth, the earth shaking beneath their hooves. The white buffalo calf, never straying from its mother, stared with wide eyes at her motionless father. By midafternoon the vet had arrived, and Brown Bear, a representative of the Oneida tribe in Green Bay, was en route to Janesville. An elder in his tribe, Brown Bear had already visited the white buffalo calf. He was returning to pay tribute and pray for her father's spirit. As the autopsy began, the family gathered around to see what could have caused the death. After 17 years of raising cattle, horses, llama and dozens of other critters, posting a carcass had become routine. But Marvin, the Heider's buffalo sire, was no ordinary livestock. Several times during the autopsy David had to turn and walk away. Not from the sight or the stench, but to wipe away the tears. Taking a break, David said he had received a phone call Tuesday night from Floyd Hand, chief medicine man of the Sioux Nation in Pine Ridge, S.D. He told me the white buffalo calf was safe, and it was protected from evil spirits. He also said that Marvin was alright now, but he would lay down his life for the white calf," David said. When I asked him what he meant, he said I see a black blockage.' I didn't think anything else anything about it until I walked out here this morning and Marvin was dead," he added. An hour into the autopsy, Dr. Jim Schwisow called Valerie over to look at something in one of the stomachs. It was the first of two softballsized hemorrhages formed near the entrance, deep black in color. Valerie's face turned pale as she looked over at Corey. By 5 p.m., Dr. Schwisow discovered the cause of the hemorrhages: several bleeding ulcers in the lower stomach. He determined the ulcers had caused the bull's death. As the evening fell into darkness, the Heiders sat around the dinning room table waiting for Brown Bear to arrive before removing the carcass. Respecting the beliefs of his culture, they agreed to allow a prayer service. Since the white calf's birth, the Heiders haven't been able to leave home. In addition to receiving roundtheclock phone calls from across the country, a steady stream of uninvited sightseers are constantly pulling into their driveway wanting to visit. Except for family members, the Heiders have only allowed Native Americans and a few members of the media to see the calf. To (Native Americans), the white buffalo is sacred. It's only right to let them see it and say prayers for it," David said. To date, representatives from the Oneida, Cherokee, Sioux, Navaho, Ojibwa, Winnebago and Lac du Flambou tribes have either called or stopped to pay homage to the calf. On the knoll above the pen, a tree is adorned with more than a dozen Native American icons left to protect the white calf. Pointing at the different items and explaining its significance, David stops at the dream catcher. A web of thread, woven in a circular shape hangs from the branch. A symbolic eagle feature is tethered to the bottom. This is to catch the dreams of the white buffalo calf, which are pure and good, while preventing evil dreams from coming in," David explained during an earlier visit. With very little experience in Native American culture, the Heiders have gotten a crash course in the past two weeks. The more I understand the symbolism of the white buffalo and what it represents (to Native Americans), I got to admit, it scares the hell out of me," David said. Why I was chosen for something so rare, I don't know. I have to believe that something good will come out of this. I was picked for a reason. What that reason is I don't know yet. But there has to be some reason behind it," he added. Although he's had offers to buy the white calf from an exotic game farm in Florida and rock star Ted Nuggent, the Heiders have no intention of selling her. I tell them all thanks for the interest, but no sale'," David said. This isn't about money. There's something going on here that larger than me or you. Money just doesn't enter into it." Putting a flannel jacket on over his work shirt, David turned on a flashlight and began walking up the hill to the pen. ''This has been a really rough day," he said aloud, not really addressing it to anyone. I'm told that for every window that shuts, there is another one that opens. We'll just have to wait for that window."
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 12:53 pm
In honor of Miracle, I wore my white buffalo t-shirt yesterday while going out on errands. In fact, it was hanging right there at the front of my closet just waiting for me. Moonie, I hope things get better for you and your Mom. 
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