7 replies to this topic

[Padme]

From: http://www.theguardi...re_iOSApp_Other

 

 

Basically a man and his son decided they should pick up a baby bison and put it in the back of their SUV to take it to the Park Rangers. Due to this, the babys family abandoned it and wouldn't take it back. Therefore the parks system had to euthanize the calf because they don't have the ability to quarantine it to send it elsewhere.

 

Yellowstone's official statement:

 

 

News has been circulating on social media about people putting a bison calf in their car. The story is true, and its sad conclusion highlights the importance of keeping a safe distance from park wildlife. Here’s the full account:

Last week, visitors were cited for placing a newborn bison calf in their vehicle and transporting it to a park facility because of their misplaced concern for the animal's welfare. In terms of human safety, this was a dangerous activity because adult animals are very protective of their young and will act aggressively to defend them. In addition, interference by people can cause mothers to reject their offspring. In this case, park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the newborn bison calf with the herd. These efforts failed. The bison calf was later euthanized because it was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway.

In a recent viral video, a visitor approached within an arm's length of an adult bison in the Old Faithful area. Another video featured visitors posing for pictures with bison at extremely unsafe and illegal distances. Last year, five visitors were seriously injured when they approached bison too closely. Bison injure more visitors to Yellowstone than any other animal.

Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival. Park regulations require that you 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.

 

 

There have been multiple incidences of people being dangerously close to all wildlife and a man was actually gored by a bison a while ago.

 

 

Have you ever approached wildlife? Do you think these people were in the right? 

 

I can see how they would be concerned for the calf but if you're actually that concerned you alert the rangers you don't kidnap a wild creature. Their hearts were in the right place but I see more & more incidences of people who are so ignorant entering parks and doing not just illegal but stupid things. Parks print their information in multiple languages and there are so many resources. Ugh. 

[Shannon]

Just saw this story on ABC World News. My heart breaks for that little guy. I wish people would educate themselves on wild animal care. A quick trip to the park ranger before picking him up could have saved his life.

There's a ton of wildlife in my neighborhood (deer, possum, skunks, ducks, squirrels, etc.) and not once have I even tried to handle any of them. Why would I? I'm not their mother - I have absolutely zero experience with caring for these little critters. I wish everyone used that same logic.

On that note, I hope the publicization of this story leads to increased animal safety awareness, because this is definitely not the first time something like this has happened.

[Katya]

I can understand the concern they may have felt (if that was their motive), but they had no right to do it, even if the intention was the best.
Humans have this tendency of trying to mess with Nature's course as it seems we haven't learn already enough from past mistakes.
Imagine if all NatGeo photogrphers decided to interact with the wildlife they're documenting. If someone, for example, decided to prevent a lion from hunting a gazelle calf?
It's not right, and by now we should know we tend to do more harm than good when we try to do "what's best for Nature".


(sorry for typos, I'm half sleeping)

[shrouded]

"It's okay if only I do it just once." - said each of the 4m annual visitors to yellow stone.

[WarezHaxor]

Gotta love people who just have to interfere in nature like that. Unless the animal is visibly wounded just leave it be...and even then, call the Rangers or an experience wildlife vet/rescue to handle the issue.

[yeahneocodex]

Poor baby I'll never underatand why people do this.

[Coops]

I lived in Alaska.

 

You do not ever approach wildlife. For lots of reasons! But primarily, have some fucking respect for the animals. They were there first.

 

I've been approached by a bear and it was one of the more terrifying things ever to happen (mostly because I did not have my bear spray and I had just been on a walk). I've also seen loads of bears with their cubs, moose and eagles from the safety of my vehicle. It's so sad these people did this. The first thing you do when you go to a park is read about how to carrying trek the land without disturbing wildlife!

[NapisaurusRex]

I've picked plenty of turtles off the middle of the road and catching frogs, crawdads, and minnows is the only sport I'm good at. I would never approach anything larger than probably... a raccoon though.