Bison Calf Euthanized After ‘Intentionally Disturbed’ by Man in Yellowstone

Law enforcement officers in Yellowstone National Park are searching for an unidentified man who caused the death of a bison calf on May 20. In a May 23 statement, the National Park Service said the man “intentionally disturbed the calf [resulting] in the death of the calf.” The incident is currently under investigation.

Witnesses report that the man saw the calf in the Lamar Valley in the northeast corner of the park at the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek, and pushed it up a hill to the road. The newborn calf had been separated from the herd and its mother when they crossed the river and “visitors later observed the calf walk up to and follow cars and people,” the statement said.

When people come in contact with young bison, they can cause the bison mother and herd to abandon the calf. After repeated attempts to reunite the cow and calf were rejected, park staff had to euthanize the animal due to the hazard it was creating on the roadway, according to the statement.

“Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival,” the statement said. “Park regulations require that people 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.”

The incident harks back to one in 2016, where a father and son who were visiting Yellowstone from Canada attempted to “save” a bison calf they thought was cold by putting it in the trunk of their pickup car and taking it to a ranger station. That calf was euthanized by park rangers as well after that herd also rejected attempts to reunite the calf with the herd.

Witnesses say the man in question was a white male in his 40s or 50s wearing black pants and a blue shirt. If the man is identified, he could face a “Class B misdemeanor with up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine,” said Linda Veress, public information specialist with Yellowstone National Park in an email to Mountain Journal. “The charge/s could include for example disturbing wildlife, disorderly conduct (create/maintain a hazardous condition), and approaching wildlife.”

Yellowstone staff follow recommendations from the Park Service to only intervene to save animals in certain circumstances. “Actions like feeding, husbandry, and rehabilitation contradict the National Park Service mission by shielding animals from the forces of natural selection and creating a zoo-like atmosphere where animals require assistance or protection from people,” the Park Service wrote in an article on its website.

The Park Service is requesting that anyone with information about the May 20 incident contact the Yellowstone National Park Tip Line at (307) 344-2132 or YELL_Tip@nps.gov.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In a May 31 statement, NPS reported that the man, "Clifford Walters of Hawaii, pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife on May 31, 2023 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick. Walters was charged a $500 fine, a $500 Community Service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment, and a $10 processing fee." 

The statement also warned Yellowstone National Park visitors that coming in contact with any wildlife can be dangerous to the animal and also to humans. "Park regulations require that people 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. Follow these links to learn more information on wildlife preservation in the park including when Yellowstone staff intervene in a natural process and why and why the bison calf was euthanized."