One of the most basic principles of being a good visitor to the country's national parks — and just nature in general — is to take nothing but pictures, not leave anything behind and not get close to wild animals.
An Idaho Falls man Clarence Yoder broke the latter rule in the most grotesque way when, on April 21, he encountered a herd of bison crossing the road at Yellowstone's West Entrance Road and decided to kick one in the leg. Along with being injured by the animal, the 40-year-old was apprehended by park rangers and cited for driving under the influence and approaching and disturbing wildlife.
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"Rangers responded to the area after receiving a report of an individual who harassed a herd of bison and kicked a bison in the leg, the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement describing the incident. "They located the suspect's vehicle near the West Entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.”
Park rangers respond to drunk man injured by kicking bison
Yoder earned the dubious honor of being the first person to get injured by a bison at the national park in 2024. The last time this happened was when, in 2023, a woman was gored by a bison on a walk through a Yellowstone lodge site in 2023. Three other less serious encounters between humans and bisons also occurred in 2022.
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In Yoder's case, the injuries he sustained were minor but the consequences for his treatment of wildlife were much more severe.
"Rangers transported Yoder to a nearby medical facility where he was medically evaluated, treated and released from medical care," the NPS said further. "He then was transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center."
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Imploring visitors not to follow in Yoder's footsteps, the NPS reminded passengers to stay at least 25 yards or 23 meters away from any large wildlife they encounter at the park. Spanning the Western states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, Yellowstone is known both for the colorful Midway Geyser Basin and array of different wildlife — visitors have reported seeing bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and more.
The NPS is imploring visitors not to get close to wildlife (just don't do it)
Violating these rules around interacting with wildlife can, the NPS says, earn one a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail if the specific action enters into criminal territory.
As with the case of the woman gored at Yellowstone's Lake Lodge Cabins, dangerous and even fatal interactions can also occur when the visitor is simply walking around or exploring the more remote parts of the park — the park agency reminds visitors to be mindful of their surroundings and back away quietly if suddenly finding oneself too close to an animal.
"Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, give it space," the NPS says. "[...] If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity."
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