YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Yellowstone National Park (YNP) announced Monday that an Idaho Falls man had been injured after approaching a bison on Sunday, April 21.
According to YNP’s announcement, YNP rangers received a report of an individual harassing a herd of bison and kicking a bison in the leg on the West Entrance Road near the Seven Mile Bridge. Rangers located the vehicle of 40-year-old Clarence Yoder in West Yellowstone, Montana, and arrested him on four charges: 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.
Yoder was being driven by 37-year-old McKenna Bass, also of Idaho Falls, Idaho. She, too, was arrested, and cited on the following three charges: driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife.
According to YNP’s announcement, Yoder sustained “minor injuries” from the bison encounter. He was transported to a nearby medical facility, where he was treated and released. He was then transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center.
“At this point, these are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” Yellowstone’s announcement said. “The incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share.”
YNP noted that each violation can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
The park opened for the season on April 19. This is the first human-bison incident the park has reported this year. The last incident happened on July 17, 2023, when a woman was gored by a bison near the Lake Lodge Cabins.
“Visitors: It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance,” Yellowstone’s news release said. “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 park reminds visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes – and at least 100 yards 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,” YNP said.
