Tragic Incident in Yellowstone National Park

On the evening of May 20, 2023, an unidentified man intentionally disturbed a newborn bison calf, resulting in the death of the animal. This incident has prompted Yellowstone to seek the public’s assistance in their investigation, while also stressing the need for visitors to give wildlife the space they need to thrive.

Tourist pulls bison out of river

In the park’s northeast corner, near the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek, a newborn bison calf became separated from its mother as the herd crossed the river. Seizing an opportunity to approach the vulnerable calf, an unidentified white male in his 40-50’s, wearing a blue shirt and black pants, pushed the calf out of the river and onto the roadway. Due to the calf’s abandonment and its dangerous behavior of approaching vehicles and people, park staff were left with no choice but to euthanize the calf to ensure the safety of both wildlife and humans.

Respect wildlife from a distance

Park rangers say that approaching wild animals not only disrupts their natural behavior, but can also jeopardize their well-being and survival. Yellowstone has strict regulations in place to safeguard the wildlife and maintain a safe environment for visitors. These regulations stipulate that individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards from all wildlife, including bison, elk, and deer. Furthermore, a distance of at least 100 yards must be maintained from bears and wolves. Disregarding these regulations not only carries the risk of fines but also endangers both humans and animals alike.

If You Have Information

Yellowstone officials are actively investigating this incident and are seeking the public’s help. If you were in the Lamar Valley on the evening of May 20, 2023, and have any information that could aid the investigation, please contact the Yellowstone National Park Tip Line at 307-344-2132 or email YELL_Tip@nps.gov.