STEP AWAY FROM THE BISON Just leave the wildlife alone

Posted on 05/18/2016 | About West Yellowstone, Montana

Last week, well meaning foreign visitors to Yellowstone National Park typically caused lots more harm than good. A father and a son determined that a newborn bison looked cold, and afraid it would freeze, took it into their rental car and drove it to the ranger’s station.

The pair were slapped with a ticket for interfering with wildlife, but the calf suffered more serious consequences. It was rejected by its mother and had to be euthanized. Park rangers made a number of attempts to reunite the calf with its herd but its interaction with humans caused it to be abandoned. Bison are not vulnerable to extreme weather conditions with long shaggy brown coats protecting them from cold and blizzards. Yellowstone National Park has the largest population of wild plains bison; approximately 4,000.

The park rules state: Approaching on foot within 100 yards (91m) of bears or within 25 yards (23m) of other wildlife is prohibited. It would be reasonable for visitors, however well meaning, to assume that wild animals have adapted to their habitat and need no intervention from unqualified humans.