Hawaii Resident Fined $500 After Helping Bison Calf, Resulting in its Euthanization at Yellowstone National Park

A visitor to Yellowstone National Park has pleaded guilty to a federal charge and been fined after helping a bison calf which was later euthanized.

Clifford Walters, a Hawaii resident, pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife, the National Park Service said in a press release.

The incident occurred on May 20, when Walters helped a newborn bison calf out of the Lamar River, after the animal became separated from its herd.

Walters was fined $500, along with a $500 community service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund, a $30 special assessment and a $10 processing fee.

The National Park Service said there was no indication that Walters acted maliciously, but his actions led to the baby bison’s death. The park service urged visitors to keep their distance from wildlife and to never approach, feed, or intentionally disturb them.