JAMESTOWN — The National Buffalo Museum announced Friday, June 28, the unexpected death of the herd’s white bull, Dakota Miracle, who succumbed to injuries from an accidental fall into a ravine. Dakota Miracle was 13 years old.

The museum said Dakota Miracle's health was compromised due to leucism, a genetic condition resulting in lack of pigmentation. One of the setbacks Dakota Miracle faced due to his leucism included poor eyesight, a factor believed to have led to his fall, the museum said. Board President Don Williams and Executive Director Ilana Xinos found Dakota Miracle deceased during a routine herd and pasture inspection.

Dakota Miracle is the son of White Cloud, an albino bison who lived with the museum’s herd for almost two decades.

“While we mourn the untimely passing of Dakota Miracle, we know he had a full life as a part of the museum’s herd,” Xinos said. “He was a rare and beautiful animal, and we feel fortunate that so many people were able to see him roaming with the herd for the past 13 years. In the wild, we do not believe he would have lived this long.”

The National Buffalo Museum’s mission is to educate the public on the cultural and historical significance of the American bison. For more information, contact Xinos at 252-8648 or director@buffalomuseum.com.