A bison put in a car by tourists because it looked like it was cold had to be put down, officials at Yellowstone National Park said on Monday.
The tourists loaded the animal into their trunk last week and drove it to a ranger station after taking a photograph that prompted a backlash on social media.
The newborn had to be euthanized because its mother had rejected it as a result of "interference by people," officials said.
"In this case, park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the newborn bison calf with the herd. These efforts failed," the park said in a statement on its website.
"The bison calf was later euthanized because it was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway."
The park berated visitors for taking selfies and recording video near the bison, flouting regulations demanding people stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away.
"They were demanding to speak with a ranger. They were seriously worried that the calf was freezing and dying," said Karen Richardson, one of several parents chaperoning a group of fifth-graders on a field trip.
The website quoted another parent who told the tourists to remove the bison from their car, warning they could be in trouble. "They didn't care," he said. "They sincerely thought they were doing a service and helping that calf by trying to save it from the cold."
The tourists loaded the animal into their trunk last week and drove it to a ranger station after taking a photograph that prompted a backlash on social media.
The newborn had to be euthanized because its mother had rejected it as a result of "interference by people," officials said.
"In this case, park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the newborn bison calf with the herd. These efforts failed," the park said in a statement on its website.
"The bison calf was later euthanized because it was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway."
The park berated visitors for taking selfies and recording video near the bison, flouting regulations demanding people stay at least 25 yards (23 meters) away.
"They were demanding to speak with a ranger. They were seriously worried that the calf was freezing and dying," said Karen Richardson, one of several parents chaperoning a group of fifth-graders on a field trip.
The website quoted another parent who told the tourists to remove the bison from their car, warning they could be in trouble. "They didn't care," he said. "They sincerely thought they were doing a service and helping that calf by trying to save it from the cold."
Bull crap... a lot could have been done for that calf.. in spite of the ignorance of the people who did it...
Bottle feeding exists for a reason. ..
There must be a wild life rescue that they could have contacted. Honestly this story has some holes in it.