Bison Calf Euthanized After Being Picked Up By Tourists
A bison calf that was placed in a vehicle by tourists because of concerns of its welfare, has been put down.
Last week, two tourists from outside of the US, were visiting Yellowstone National Park when they saw the calf and grew concerned that it was freezing and dying.
They put the calf in their SUV and eventually made contact with park rangers.
The two were ticketed and the calf was returned to where it was found, and rangers attempted to reunite the calf with the herd from which it was believed to have come from.
However, because the calf had come into contact with humans, the herd rejected the calf and it was later euthanized, because it was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway.
Yellowstone National Park Officials want to remind visitors to the park that approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival.
Park regulations require that you stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all wildlife (including bison, elk and deer) and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury, and even death.
The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.
Information Courtesy: Yellowstone National Park
The photo above was taken by Karen Richardson, but she was not one of the tourists that placed the calf in the vehicle.
According to East Idaho News, Richardson captured the photo while chaperoning a group of fifth graders on a field trip, when the tourists who took the calf pulled up to the ranger station with the animal in the vehicle.