After a visitor tried to help a baby bison at the Yellowstone National Park, US, staff killed the newborn bison because the herd reject the animal. It is believed the rejection was caused by humans interacting with the calf after being separated from the herd when crossing a river in a northern section of the park. The calf was seen walking up to cars and people and following them, and any attempt from park rangers to reunite the calf with the herds failed. According to a press release, the animal was shot dead “because it was abandoned by the herd and causing a hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway.”
It is not unheard of that interference from people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring. Park regulations require visitors to stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife, including bison, elk and deer, and 100 yards from bears and wolves. The park said law enforcement officers are seeking more information about the incident. Clifford Walters, the man who rescued the calf from the water, could have faced prison for the misdemeanour of disturbing wildlife he was charged with. On 1st June 2023, he pleaded guilty in a federal court to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife. Mr Walters was ordered to pay a $500 fine, a $500 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment and a $10 processing fee. He said, “The fine could have been a lot worse… I would have paid that much money to save the calf’s life… It was in the water, begging for help to get out…It had been swept downstream… I didn’t discuss it with my wife as I took off down the embankment… I couldn’t stand seeing the calf die.”
