Rare white buffalo calf died of natural causes, sheriff reports [View all]

A rare white buffalo calf, whose Lakota Sioux owner had reported finding it skinned and mutilated in May, died of a bacterial infection called blackleg, the Hunt County sheriff reported Tuesday.

Arby Little Soldier said he found the nonalbino Lightning Medicine Cloud dead in May just shy of its first birthday and its mother, Buffalo Woman, the next day on his ranch near Greenville.

His description of the circumstances led to outcries to find the killers. Contributions to a reward fund grew to more than $45,000, according to a news report in May.

The deaths were due to "natural causes," Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said in a news release.

"We are closing this case."

According to Lakota Sioux lore, the goddess of peace once appeared in the form of a white buffalo calf.

Little Soldier could not be reached for comment.

Meeks declined to answer questions.

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http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/08/21/4197001/white-buffalo-calf-reportedly.html