May 21, 2003 ~ Original 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 Kenahkihinen was born approximately five and a half months after Betty had given birth to a normal brown calf. Is this parthenogenesis? Could Betty have given birth to a delayed twin? Can a buffalo give birth and 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 too 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.