"Rescued" Bison calf euthanized today

[Lehuaann]

Something iffy about this story to me. The father/son were absolutely in the wrong and should've sought help FIRST. However, it sounded to me like the calf was already in trouble and the herd had abandoned it - pre-SUV trip. The calf was supposedly approaching people and vehicles. Makes sense as to why they were able to get it in the SUV in the first place.

I understand the park taking to social media as a warning, but to then blame the father/son for why it ended up being euthanized (rejected due to being taken) - I'm not so sure about that. Surely there was an alternative method to euthanization, especially since it was just recently named as our the national mammal. Anyways, them doing that makes me equally upset.

 

[cornflkgrl]

LOL, I wouldn't either and I have never been to a National Park so I am not at all familiar with the rules but it does seem like common sense not to load a baby bison into your car. My point is, without knowing all the details, that these two THOUGHT they were doing something helpful no matter how dumb the action. I'm not sure they deserve to be so villianized.

Lived in Montana for several years, part of the time within 45 minutes of West Yellowstone. There are bright yellow illustrated pamphlets given to every visitor entering the park explaining distance guidelines for bison. No excuse here. Visitors to the park are liable and responsible for their actions inside the park.

 

[cornflkgrl]

Something iffy about this story to me. The calf was supposedly approaching people and vehicles.

I understand the park taking to social media as a warning, but to then blame the father/son for why it ended up being euthanized (rejected due to being taken) - I'm not so sure about that. Surely there was an alternative method to euthanization, especially since it was just recently named as our the national mammal. Anyways, them doing that makes me equally upset.

All the bison approach people. They live there. Go in the summer and you will undoubtedly be sitting in a bison jam, as they are not shy about walking down the middle of the road.

The euthanasia was likely because of brucellosis risks. They can't just put a Yellowstone bison anywhere. Hopefully it won't upset anyone too much to know part of their bison management plan involves euthanization any way. They keep the herd at a certain number and keep track of roaming, etc. The whole thing can seem kind of ruthless.

 

[Lehuaann]

All the bison approach people. They live there. Go in the summer and you will undoubtedly be sitting in a bison jam, as they are not shy about walking down the middle of the road.

The euthanasia was likely because of brucellosis risks. They can't just put a Yellowstone bison anywhere. Hopefully it won't upset anyone too much to know part of their bison management plan involves euthanization any way. They keep the herd at a certain number and keep track of roaming, etc. The whole thing can seem kind of ruthless.

Not my words. The park found that the bison's actions of approaching people was considered dangerous and constituted euthanasia -

"The park said the rejected calf caused a dangerous situation because it kept approaching people and cars along the road."

 

[cornflkgrl]

I apologize if I was attributing that statement to you. Just read that nps full statement. I think it is kind of stupid wording because most all the bison approach people and cars. That is why they can be dangerous and people need to be cautious. I mean, on the walkways by the geysers they are a lot of times just hanging around that walkway. I was always afraid to walk up there for fear I would run face to face with an elk mom or bison because you can't jump off into geysers to get away. People worry about bears. I still can't understand how these guys got this thing in their car.
At any rate, I think what NPS mean by their statement is because it was abandoned it doesn't have a herd to follow. But i still think that is the nps "nice" story since this is national news. They euthanize a lot of animals that are involved in human-animal encounters. Lots of grizzlies have died this way just for being bears. I stand by my earlier statement that people are liable for their behavior in the parks. It isn't a zoo.

Eta: the almost comical part of all this as I'm reading more about it is it was in the Lamar Valley. The calf -- if abandoned -- would have been eaten by a bear or wolf pretty soon anyway (It's the circle of liiiife....). And people are all up in arms over this one baby but ranchers have lobbied to be allowed to shoot bison that set one little foot outside the park because they are afraid their cattle will get brucellosis. Bison have died over the years or been hazed. It didn't make National news (maybe regional). Maybe thanks to these bozos bison will get more airplay.

 

[bcla]

Strange they didn't try to bottle feed it.

It's not a zoo, and in any case very few places will take one on due to the brucellosis risk. Perhaps it's cruel, but they're even required to keep the population within certain limits under a court-approved plan. They've been sued by nearby ranchers worried about a large enough population spilling out and infecting cattle. There are hunts in the surrounding area, and even capture of bison for meat.

 

[bcla]

I apologize if I was attributing that statement to you. Just read that nps full statement. I think it is kind of stupid wording because most all the bison approach people and cars. That is why they can be dangerous and people need to be cautious. I mean, on the walkways by the geysers they are a lot of times just hanging around that walkway. I was always afraid to walk up there for fear I would run face to face with an elk mom or bison because you can't jump off into geysers to get away. People worry about bears. I still can't understand how these guys got this thing in their car.
At any rate, I think what NPS mean by their statement is because it was abandoned it doesn't have a herd to follow. But i still think that is the nps "nice" story since this is national news. They euthanize a lot of animals that are involved in human-animal encounters. Lots of grizzlies have died this way just for being bears. I stand by my earlier statement that people are liable for their behavior in the parks. It isn't a zoo.

There's no issue with bison not having a fear of cars or people. However, this calf was apparently approaching people really closely as if it was looking for a handout. I've been in Yellowstone before and even have a picture of a calf galloping towards our car (and the past our car). Approaching is one thing, but approaching closely like a lost puppy is another thing.

Heck - I've been in Yellowstone where I saw bison lounging on a nearby path. We rather worked our way around it, staying well away from it and easily 25 yards. That's not a problem. But once it gets out that there's a "tame" bison looking for food, a certain segment of the visitor population is going to start feeding it, looking for the perfect photo op. Heck - I remember when Glacier National Park had an issue with a grizzly with Cubs that approached hikers. It wasn't known for being aggressive or looking for people food. However, it startled hikers, and the policy is that human habituated bears pose an unacceptable risk to visitor safety. While it hadn't shown aggression or apparently taken people food, this one was known to sniff tents and walk though cooking areas.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/news/news09-54.htm
http://missoulian.com/news/local/gl...cle_c0d6b622-51bc-11df-aeb5-001cc4c002e0.html

The history is somewhat interesting, of a bear that loved sniffing through human encampments and bags, but was never found to take human food even when people scattered and left food available. In short it was intensely curious about people.

 

[pocomom]

They said it was approaching people AFTER the people had "rescued" it. And they took the calf in because "it looked cold" .

It wouldn't be hard to get a baby bison into your vehicle - the Bison herds will frequently walk right past, even rubbing against your car.
This baby was looking for handouts which would get more and more dangerous as it grew. Park service has limited choices in this scenario.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I apologize if I was attributing that statement to you. Just read that nps full statement. I think it is kind of stupid wording because most all the bison approach people and cars. That is why they can be dangerous and people need to be cautious. I mean, on the walkways by the geysers they are a lot of times just hanging around that walkway. I was always afraid to walk up there for fear I would run face to face with an elk mom or bison because you can't jump off into geysers to get away. People worry about bears. I still can't understand how these guys got this thing in their car.
At any rate, I think what NPS mean by their statement is because it was abandoned it doesn't have a herd to follow. But i still think that is the nps "nice" story since this is national news. They euthanize a lot of animals that are involved in human-animal encounters. Lots of grizzlies have died this way just for being bears. I stand by my earlier statement that people are liable for their behavior in the parks. It isn't a zoo.

Eta: the almost comical part of all this as I'm reading more about it is it was in the Lamar Valley. The calf -- if abandoned -- would have been eaten by a bear or wolf pretty soon anyway (It's the circle of liiiife....). And people are all up in arms over this one baby but ranchers have lobbied to be allowed to shoot bison that set one little foot outside the park because they are afraid their cattle will get brucellosis. Bison have died over the years or been hazed. It didn't make National news (maybe regional). Maybe thanks to these bozos bison will get more airplay.

In that case, it is to protect with permission.

In the case of the visitor, it is straight up interference without permission.

The two are not really comparable.

 

[mnrose]

I just don't get how someone can be so mis-informed that they think a "baby bison" is going to be "cold" in nature. Good grief! Where do they think baby bison live? LOL. It's just so bizarre. We buy our meat from a farmer who raises, among other things, bison. He has observed bison herds for decades. He says (and I believe him!), they face INTO the wind during a blizzard (unlike domesticated cattle, which turn their backs to the wind). Bison revel in winter. They do not get "cold", ever.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

seems somewhat odd to me that those two fellas were able to get close enough to that calf to be able to load it into a vehicle without mama bison intervening. If there were no mother around maybe that calf had been rejected by the herd already and was living on borrowed time when the two men tried to help.

I've seen several comments suggesting that possibility & it totally makes sense. It doesn't change the fact that the tourists were stupid, but it could be this little guy was already doomed.

 

[mco65]

Am I missing something? Didn't they believe the calf was in trouble and try to help it? Not the brightest idea but it doesn't sound like anything done maliciously.

we can't waste a good opportunity to publically (or socially) shame someone... its the wave of the future!

 

[mnrose]

we can't waste a good opportunity to publically (or socially) shame someone... its the wave of the future!

In this case, a little public shaming IS good. It will keep (maybe) some equally moronic person from replicating this stunt in the future. And, maybe think about how close they want to get to a creature as big as bison.

 

[nugov2]

So there aren't any Bison rescue groups that could have taken it? I get there are reasons they cannot care for it, but it seems as if they were just like oh well lets euthanize it.

The people were idiots for sure, but from another country so maybe they did think they were helping, but like someone upthread said it doesn't excuse their actions. Hopefully they were charged a hefty fine.

 

[bcla]

I have been to Yellowstone twice, as well as to many, many other National Parks. I can say with confidence, that I would NEVER put a wild animal into my car even if I was worried about the animal. If I was that worried, I would go to the nearest ranger station or visitor center or campground or lodge to share my concern and get help.

I don't know how to share links but if you look at Yellowstone NP Facebook page they explain why it isn't in their capacity to take in sick or motherless animals to save. I am not saying they are "right" or "wrong" but they do share their position.

This is the main message.

https://www.facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS/posts/1300471933301491:0

One of the earlier comments contains a response that there is no place to quarantine for brucellosis, and in any case they have no means to care for a calf during that time.

 

[mnrose]

So there aren't any Bison rescue groups that could have taken it? I get there are reasons they cannot care for it, but it seems as if they were just like oh well lets euthanize it.

The people were idiots for sure, but from another country so maybe they did think they were helping, but like someone upthread said it doesn't excuse their actions. Hopefully they were charged a hefty fine.

No. Animals from Yellowstone are under quarantine because of a disease. They cannot be removed from the park. And, no way to care for it in the park. This is what they said:

"Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read this post and share our safety messages. We're reading through your comments and noticed many people asking why the calf had to be euthanized.

In order to ship the calf out of the park, it would have had to go through months of quarantine to be monitored for brucellosis. No approved quarantine facilities exist at this time, and we don't have the capacity to care for a calf that's too young to forage on its own. Nor is it the mission of the National Park Service to rescue animals: our goal is to maintain the ecological processes of Yellowstone. Even though humans were involved in this case, it is not uncommon for bison, especially young mothers, to lose or abandon their calves. Those animals typically die of starvation or predation."

They euthanize a lot of animals there to keep the herd size to the level appropriate for that area. This one just happened to garner attention because it was "cute."

 

[bcla]

No. Animals from Yellowstone are under quarantine because of a disease. They cannot be removed from the park. And, no way to care for it in the park. This is what they said:

"Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read this post and share our safety messages. We're reading through your comments and noticed many people asking why the calf had to be euthanized.

In order to ship the calf out of the park, it would have had to go through months of quarantine to be monitored for brucellosis. No approved quarantine facilities exist at this time, and we don't have the capacity to care for a calf that's too young to forage on its own. Nor is it the mission of the National Park Service to rescue animals: our goal is to maintain the ecological processes of Yellowstone. Even though humans were involved in this case, it is not uncommon for bison, especially young mothers, to lose or abandon their calves. Those animals typically die of starvation or predation."

They euthanize a lot of animals there to keep the herd size to the level appropriate for that area. This one just happened to garner attention because it was "cute."

The place this calf was taken to was a former bison ranch that was used to raise bison for reintroduction into the wild population. I suppose that place theoretically could be used to rehabilitate an injured animal, but I doubt they feel it's appropriate. Right now they look at it and say "what were they thinking?"

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/lamarbuffaloranch.htm

 

[Lehuaann]

I apologize if I was attributing that statement to you. Just read that nps full statement. I think it is kind of stupid wording because most all the bison approach people and cars. That is why they can be dangerous and people need to be cautious. I mean, on the walkways by the geysers they are a lot of times just hanging around that walkway. I was always afraid to walk up there for fear I would run face to face with an elk mom or bison because you can't jump off into geysers to get away. People worry about bears. I still can't understand how these guys got this thing in their car.
At any rate, I think what NPS mean by their statement is because it was abandoned it doesn't have a herd to follow. But i still think that is the nps "nice" story since this is national news. They euthanize a lot of animals that are involved in human-animal encounters. Lots of grizzlies have died this way just for being bears. I stand by my earlier statement that people are liable for their behavior in the parks. It isn't a zoo.

Eta: the almost comical part of all this as I'm reading more about it is it was in the Lamar Valley. The calf -- if abandoned -- would have been eaten by a bear or wolf pretty soon anyway (It's the circle of liiiife....). And people are all up in arms over this one baby but ranchers have lobbied to be allowed to shoot bison that set one little foot outside the park because they are afraid their cattle will get brucellosis. Bison have died over the years or been hazed. It didn't make National news (maybe regional). Maybe thanks to these bozos bison will get more airplay.

No worries. The official (and more precise) statement came after they initially put out that the bison was euthanized for approaching people for handouts.

They said it was approaching people AFTER the people had "rescued" it. And they took the calf in because "it looked cold" .

It wouldn't be hard to get a baby bison into your vehicle - the Bison herds will frequently walk right past, even rubbing against your car.
This baby was looking for handouts which would get more and more dangerous as it grew. Park service has limited choices in this scenario.

...not hard to put a bison calf in a vehicle? I've never been to Yellowstone, but I've seen them in Ky and they ain't no joke! I'd think that the mother/herd would kill to protect their young if it was being tended to properly.

Hopefully everyone has learned a very legal and public lesson...

 

[Gumbo4x4]

...not hard to put a bison calf in a vehicle? I've never been to Yellowstone, but I've seen them in Ky and they ain't no joke! I'd think that the mother/herd would kill to protect their young if it was being tended to properly.

Hopefully everyone has learned a very legal and public lesson...

My uncle got between a bison cow & calf with his new car in Lone Elk Park (St Louis). The cow rammed his car several times in response - one of 3 bizarre insurance claims he had in just 6 months LOL

 

[MrsDuck]

Heartbreaking.