Two arrested at Yellowstone National Park after reportedly disturbing herd of bison
by KAIGAN BIGLER | KUTV
WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. (KUTV) — Two people were taken into custody on potential charges of disturbing wildlife at Yellowstone National Park, according to National Park Service officials.
Clarence Yoder, 40, and McKenna Bass, 37, of Idaho Falls, were arrested on April 21 after park rangers received a report of someone harassing a herd of bison and kicking one in the leg.
Officials said Yoder is being accused of approaching a bison within 25 yards and getting injured.
MORE: Second Yellowstone tourist gored by bison in one week; third of 2022
When rangers reported to the incident at West Entrance Road, officials said they found Yoder with minor injuries from his encounter with the bison.
Rangers took Yoder to a nearby medical facility where he was treated and released, then transported to Gallatin County Detention Center.
MORE: ICYMI: Tourists filmed too close to bison in Yellowstone National Park
Yoder was arrested on counts of being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that he endangered himself, disorderly conduct creating a hazardous condition and approaching and disturbing wildlife.
Bass, who was identified by officials as the driver of the vehicle Yoder rode in, was arrested on counts of driving under the influence, failure to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife.
Yoder and Bass pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on April 22. If they are proven guilty, each violation can result in up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail for each violation.
RELATED: Man pleads guilty to intentionally disturbing wildlife after bison death at Yellowstone
Officials said the incident was still under investigation as of April 29.
National Park Service officials wanted to remind park visitors, “It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance.”
They reported that this is the first known incident of a park visitor being injured by a bison in 2024. They said the last reported incident happened on July 17, 2023.
RELATED: 47-year-old Arizona woman hospitalized after being gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park
“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,” officials said. “If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.”
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