Bison calf had to be euthanized after it was touched by tourist: Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park had to euthanize a newborn bison calf this week after an unidentified visitor handled the wild animal, according to a release from the National Park Service.The bison calf was falling behind its herd and mother as they crossed the Lamar River in Wyoming on Saturday evening.

Though park guests are warned not to interact with wildlife, a man approached the animal.In what appeared to be an attempt to hurry the calf along, the unidentified man touched the bison and pushed it up from the river and onto the roadway.The National Park Authority claimed after crossing the river, the bison calf was observed as it tried to approach and follow both cars and people in the park.Park rangers repeatedly tried to reunite the calf with its herd, but all efforts were unsuccessful.

The calf was abandoned by the herd and subsequently caused a “hazardous situation” when it approached vehicles and humans on the roadway.“Interference by people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring,” the National Park Service explained in the release. “Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival.”The authority shared a photo of the unidentified man who touched the bison calf.

The man, believed to be in his 40s or 50s, was pictured with his hands on either side of the tiny bison. He was wearing a blue shirt and black pants.The man could possibly be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and may face six months in jail and a US$5,000 fine, according to CNN.As the National Park Service shared news of the bison calf’s death, concerned netizens voiced their confusion and outrage over the decision to euthanize.In a Facebook comment, a representative for the National Park Service.