Calf -- one in 10 million -- dies after treatment for eye infection

FORT RILEY -- A rare, light-colored bison calf born at Fort Riley early this summer died unexpectedly Sunday.

The unusual calf -- there is only a one-in-10 million chance of such an animal being born -- died about 9:30 a.m. at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The calf, born June 24 and named Morning Mist, was taken to the vet school July 2 after the bison's caretaker noticed her eyes appeared cloudy.

Misti, as she was known, was being treated for a severe infection in her eyes and had been showing steady improvement. As late as last week, doctors caring for the animal reported, "She is very feisty, and she is definitely holding her own."

The cause of the calf's death still isn't known. A necropsy was performed at K-State, but the test results won't be available until a later date, according to a release from the fort.

"We appreciate the fine and expert veterinary care provided by Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine," said Dave Jones, Fish and Wildlife administrator at Fort Riley.

"We know that Misti received the finest care available in the region," he said.

Davidson, who noted Misti had been eating from a bottle last week, said the "death was totally unexpected and a shock to all of us."

A light-colored bison -- Misti wasn't an albino -- is held in high spiritual regard by American Indians. A Fort Riley spokeswoman said input from interested Indian groups will be considered in determining what to do with the calf's remains.

The calf's parents have been separated for the time being, the spokeswoman said.

To produce a light-colored calf, both parents must possess the recessive gene for that trait. The odds of such a bull and cow producing a light-colored calf is one in four, according to a fort release.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.