Officials at Yellowstone National Park said they had to euthanize a newborn bison calf after another tourist had an unpleasant encounter with the park's animals, as reported by a press release from the National Park Service (NPS).
A bison calf was separated from its mother and herd and disturbed by an unknown stranger on Saturday evening, May 20, as it crossed the Lamar River in the park, said the press statement. "As the calf struggled, the man pushed the calf up from the river and onto the roadway," NPS stated.
Caution From the Authorities
Visitors are required to maintain a 25-yard distance from bison, elk, and most other species in the park, and a 100-yard distance from bears and wolves, as per the park regulations. According to NPS, wild animals' health and survival may be jeopardized if humans approach them.
According to a CNN report, NPS said that visitors subsequently saw the calf approaching and following cars and people after the Saturday incident. This posed a safety risk to anyone in the area.
NPS warns that "interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring." After unsuccessfully trying to return the calf to its herd, park rangers opted to put it down because "it was abandoned by its herd and was causing a hazardous situation to approaching cars and people along the roadway," according to the announcement.
In their news release, Yellowstone National Park included a photo of the guy rescuing the baby bison from the water.
If he is proven guilty, Yellowstone National Park confirmed that the individual faces up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine for a Class B misdemeanor. Animal harassment, public intoxication, and getting too close to wild animals are all things the park might file charges for.
Yellowstone National Park has set up a tipline for anybody who may have seen or know anything about what happened on Saturday to call in.
A few tourists in June 2022 alone were among the hundreds of visitors to Yellowstone who were hurt after coming into contact with bison. A 25-year-old woman was gored by a bison and tossed 10 feet into the air, while a 34-year-old man from Colorado sustained injuries as he visited the park with his family.
When to Interfere With Wildlife?
In a report by USA Today, the NPS claims that it only interferes with "natural biological or physical processes" in certain situations:
- When instructed by Congress.
- When people's lives or valuables are in danger.
- When required to prevent harm to park visitors, employees, or park resources.
- To restore a natural system that has been damaged by human activity.
