WINNIPEG - October 17, 2008 – Blizzard, the famous White Buffalo at the Assiniboine Park Zoo, is scheduled to travel to another Canadian zoo on October 21, 2008, on a six-month loan agreement. Blizzard has been a hit at the Zoo in Winnipeg ever since he arrived during a fierce snow storm in the early spring of 2006. The good-natured youngster has drawn plenty of attention at the Zoo, in documentaries, and on the internet, since few White Buffalo have been born in North America. A White Buffalo has long been a highly sacred symbol for the northern plains First Nations people, and gave rise to the cherished Dakota legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. Many Manitoba First Nations and Métis people regard the appearance of a White Buffalo as an omen of better times and the coming together of all people in our communities.

This loan has been granted to offer other Aboriginal People, school children, and the general public the opportunity to see this special animal. Blizzard is scheduled to be back with his herd at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in May.