Timeline of buffalo at Woodland Zoo



May 21, 2003 ~ Orignal female buffalo gave birth to
female calf, later known as Betty.  This cow prolapsed
and died.  The calf was then bottle fed and hand
raised by the zoo.


July 11, 2003 ~ Woodland Zoo purchased male buffalo 
they named Barney. Barney and Betty were raised
together. 


August 2005 ~ Barney and Betty mated


May 21, 2006 ~ Betty gave birth to a normal brown calf.
This calf was sold shortly afterwards. 


November 7, 2006 ~ Barney was sold and left the zoo.


November 12, 2006 ~ White Buffalo calf was born. 
Gestation period for a buffalo is nine months.  This
would indicate Kenahkhinen was born approximately five 
and a half months after Betty had given birth to a 
normal brown calf. Is this parthenogenisis? Could Betty
have given birth to a delayed twin?   Can a buffalo 
give birth then five and a half months later give birth
again?


November 17, 2006 ~ Another two-year old female 
buffalo was purchased and placed with Betty and the 
white buffalo calf,  Kenahkihinen. Barney had left 
the zoo 10 days before she arrived, therefore he could
not have impregnated the second female.

  
July 2007 ~ The second female gives birth to the 
black buffalo calf. It was assured she was not pregnant
at the time of her arrival at the zoo. Typically female
buffalo do not go into season until they are 3 years
old. The only male buffalo present when she arrived
was Kenahkihinen , who was to young to impregnate her.
Yes, according to a breeder, a female can go into
season as young as 18 months. So, was this second
female impregnated before she was delivered to the
zoo? The Woodland Zoo was assured she was not, but
anything is possible.


The Woodland Zoo welcomes any realistic explanation
for these births.  Not one respected or recognized
individual or organization has stepped forward to give a
realistic explanation for the curiosities surrounding
the birth of either of these buffalo calves. Only
Elders and Spiritual leaders, respected and well known
in the Native and non-Native communities, have spoken.
It is up to each of us individually to accept the
wisdom of these respected Elders and Spiritual
Leaders, or dismiss them. This is the definition of
faith. We are given every reason to believe, and every
reason to deny.


There are no answers here, only the message. And this
is what is important. Irregardless of how these two
have come to be, it is the message they bring, not how
they brought it.