Man Arrested in Idaho After Kicking Bison in the Leg Sparks Outrage

An Idaho man, who kicked a bison in the leg at Yellowstone National Park, has been arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife. The dude also got an alcohol charge.

According to a press release from the National Park Service on April 29, Clarence Yoder, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, sustained minor injuries from the encounter with the bison.

Yellowstone National Park posted the story to their Facebook page, and people are rightfully furious with this man. One person said "They were drunk, it seems. One of them got charged with driving under the influence, failing to yield to emergency lights, and a lot of other stuff too. It’s crazy we have to remind people that it’s our responsibility to protect animals and the environment." Another added, "The guy should know better since Yellowstone is in our back yard. No respect for wildlife; "it's all about me"; "I'll do what I want".....pathetic!" Another replied, "Got what he deserved. I just don't understand people that do this ignorant stuff."

Related: Tourist Is Mauled by Brown Bear After Rolling Down Window to Take a Selfie With It

Got what he deserved? He's lucky the bison didn't kill him.

The press release stated, "Yoder and Bass appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. At this point, these are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Each violation can result in fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail. The incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share."

What To Remember When Encountering Wildlife at National Parks

The Facebook page for The National Parks Service has been sharing a lot of posts about bison.

They also reminded the public that: Visitors - It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance: 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. Stay more than 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes – and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.

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

Wild animals need to be treated with respect and allowed to be just that, wild. People shouldn't approach them, or harass them, or take selfies with them or disturb them. This guy is pretty lucky the worst that can happen to him is fines and jail time. Bison injure more people than any other type of wildlife at Yellowstone.

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