Man identified, sentenced for pulling Yellowstone Park bison from river

Posted 6/1/23

A man’s ill-advised attempt to save the life of a bison calf in Yellowstone National Park last month has netted him more than $1,000 worth of penalties.

Federal prosecutors announced …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Man identified, sentenced for pulling Yellowstone Park bison from river

Posted

A man’s ill-advised attempt to save the life of a bison calf in Yellowstone National Park last month has netted him more than $1,000 worth of penalties.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday afternoon that Hawaii resident Clifford Walters was the man who tried rescuing a struggling bison calf from the Lamar River last month. At a court appearance Wednesday morning, Walters pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife; he was assessed a $500 fine, a $500 community service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment and a $10 processing fee.

Walters spotted the young animal struggling to swim near the confluence of the Lamar River and Soda Butte Creek on May 20, authorities say, after it was separated from its mother. Instead of leaving the calf alone, as park managers advise, Walters pushed it out of the river and onto the nearby road.

“Visitors later observed the calf walk up to and follow cars and people. Park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd, but their efforts were unsuccessful,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming said in a statement.

Park staff ultimately euthanized the animal “because it was abandoned by the herd and causing a hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway.”

The incident drew widespread attention, and Yellowstone officials put out a public call for information about the May 20 incident, seeking to identify the man.

In Wednesday’s announcement, prosecutors said there was no indication that Walters had acted maliciously.

Yellowstone officials offered a reminder “that approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival.” Park rules require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, including bison, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

“The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules,” the release said.

Comments