ST. GEORGE — Southern Utah welcomed a “one in a million” white bison calf to the Zion White Bison Resort and Zion Nature Park.
The female calf was born on March 31 at 7 p.m. to the resort’s 5-year-old female bison, Marshmallow, and BraveHeart, a 4-year-old white bull.
“A white bison is a rare animal that is revered and held sacred to Native American tribes,” McKell Davis, a spokeswoman for the resort, told St. George News. “If that happened, they had a ceremony; it was this very special thing.”
Davis said her online research shows the birth of a white bison happens in only “one in a million” births. The name for the calf has yet to be chosen.
When the resort initially opened in September 2021, it was called Weeping Buffalo Resort and had brown bison. But after the owner brought in a white bison and heard from local Native Americans that the white bison was sacred, he decided to bring in Marshmallow, BraveHeart and the newborn calf’s grandmother Ghost, an 8-year-old white bison.
Davis said the resort is committed to preserving and protecting the sacred animals while offering guests an unforgettable experience.
A news release issued by the resort shared its excitement about the newborn:
“The resort is eager to share this remarkable addition with its guests and promote awareness about the importance of conservation and the cultural meaning of these amazing bison.”
Access to the bison is limited to guests, Davis said, and general public viewing of the new calf has yet to be available due to ongoing construction at the resort.
Davis said guests are encouraged to appreciate the spiritual and cultural significance of the white bison while learning about their role in Native American traditions.
Currently, the Zion White Bison Resort provides a sanctuary for three white bison and two brown bison. The bison calves will be rehomed to Native American tribes when it’s time to wean the calves from their mothers.
The resort is located 14 miles away from the timeless beauty of Zion National Park and features 36 glamping units on-site that include tipis, covered wagons and cliff dwellings. The tents have modern comforts such as TVs, hot tubs and climate control. That number could increase by fall, along with an additional 150 RV sites, Davis said. Davis said future plans include a restaurant or a convenience store and also a hotel for the property.
Photo Gallery
A rare white bison with its mother, Marshmallow, was born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
Marshmallow and BraveHeart are the parents of the white bison calf born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
A rare white bison with its mother, Marshmallow, was born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
A rare white bison with its mother, Marshmallow, was born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
A rare white bison with its mother, Marshmallow, was born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
A rare white bison with its mother, Marshmallow, was born near Zion National Park at the Zion White Bison Resort, Virgin, Utah, unspecified date | Photo courtesy of Zion White Bison Resort, St. George News
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