ST. GEORGE — In a news release issued earlier this month, Pipe Spring National Monument formally introduced their newest additions to the Monument family, two young Texas longhorns.
The two longhorns recently were added to a public-facing corral and can be viewed from a safe distance during the monument’s operating hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. The two new longhorns, a male and a female, are named Wai (pronounced similar to “why”) and Pai (pronounced similar to “pie”), respectively. Wai is the Southern Paiute word for “two” while Pai means “three,” named after the numerical tags still in their ears.
Pipe Spring National Monument is located on the ancestral homelands of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians and is surrounded by that reservation. The naming of these longhorns in the Southern Paiute language is an important representation of the cultural stories shared at Pipe Spring, the news release states.
Texas longhorns were first documented on the Arizona Strip in the mid-1860s, introduced by Dr. James M. Whitmore, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Texas. As Whitmore looked for a place to establish a cattle ranch, he found lush grasslands that were said to be “belly-high to a horse,” primarily fed by the spring now known as Pipe Spring.
These grasslands provided rich feed for his cattle, which were Texas longhorns. From this moment in history to today, cattle play a large role in the culture, environment and economy throughout the region.
Pipe Spring National Monument was established by President Warren G. Harding on May 31, 1923, as a “memorial to western pioneer life.”
Throughout the years, livestock has played an important role in the interpretive products of Pipe Spring. The cattle continue to connect the varied stories of Pipe Spring to the visiting public.
“We see so much value in being able to provide these living interpretive exhibits, especially in rural areas like the communities surrounding Pipe Spring,” Superintendent Amanda McCutcheon said in the news release. “You would have to travel hundreds of miles to have a similar experience. It’s a real treat not just for visitors but for local communities as well.”
The acquisition of these animals is thanks to a grant funded by the Zion National Park Forever Project, the official non-profit partner of Pipe Spring National Monument. The Zion National Park Forever Project engages in collaborative efforts with federal agencies, gateway communities, and guests to create connections to the Zion Regional Landscape leading to lifelong stewardship. Discover more about their work at this website.
2023 marks the Centennial of Pipe Spring being established as a National Monument. The acquisition of these longhorns is just the first of many events that will commemorate and celebrate their 100th anniversary. More details will be issued soon at a later date, the release states.
To learn more about other activities available Pipe Spring National Monument, visit this website, and for up-to-date information about the monument, follow the Monument on Facebook and/or Instagram.