A newborn bison calf was put to death by Yellowstone National Park staff after a man “intentionally disturbed” the animal, leading the herd to reject it, park officials said Tuesday.
The incident occurred Saturday evening in Lamar Valley in Wyoming, in the northeastern corner of the park. An unidentified white male approached a bison calf that had been separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River.
“As the calf struggled, the man pushed the calf up from the river and onto the roadway,” park officials said in a news release. That “unfortunate incident” led the herd to abandon the baby bison. Despite several attempts, park rangers were unable to reunite them.
“Interference by people can lead wildlife to reject their offspring,” officials explained.
The abandoned calf was later seen walking up to cars and following people, “causing a hazardous situation.” That led park staff to take the animal’s life.
Yellowstone Park regulations require all visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from animals including bison, elk and deer, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. Noncompliance can result in fines, injury and even death.
Approaching them “can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival,” officials said.
The incident is currently under investigation. Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers are asking the public for any information that could help investigators. The man, who’s believed to be in his 40s or 50s, was wearing a blue shirt and black pants at the time.