A pair of Idaho men are facing charges after one of them was injured after allegedly kicking a bison at Yellowstone National Park, officials said.
Knewz.com has learned that on the afternoon of April 21, 40-year-old Clarence Yoder of Idaho Falls allegedly approached bison too closely and was injured, the National Park Service said in a statement Monday.
Rangers responded to a report of a man harassing a herd of bison and kicking a bison in the leg on West Entrance Road near the Seven Mile Bridge, about 7 miles east of the park’s West Entrance. They located the suspect's vehicle and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Mont. Yoder sustained "minor injuries" in his encounter with the bison, park officials said.
Yoder was arrested and charged with being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself; disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition; approaching wildlife; and disturbing wildlife.
The driver of the vehicle Yoder was traveling in, 37-year-old McKenna Bass of Idaho Falls, was also arrested and cited for driving under the influence; interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation; and disturbing wildlife.
Rangers transported Yoder to a medical facility for treatment of his injuries before transporting him to the Gallatin County Detention Center.
Yoder and Bass both appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to park officials, each violation can result in fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
The National Park Service is reminding visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.
—TMX contributed to this report.
