I thought the idea of animals rejecting babies after being handled by people was debunked. Is this a fake story to keep people from messing with wildlife?
If you know anything about nature and preservation than you know this is the right call. Especially with Bison. The park released a very informative open letter about the incident. This is 100% the visitors fault. These parks are NOT zoos, they’re preserves. Which means they *preserve* the natural course of nature. If a baby separates or is rejected from the herd, it will die. That’s how nature works. You’re not a “hero” for trying to save this animal. You’re impeding the ecosystem.
Serious question…if the baby was rejected, could it not have been taken to a sanctuary/preserve/zoo to live out its life, or does this happen too often and no one can do so?
So, my background (doctorate) is in behavioral and spatial ecology and I have even worked on projects involving how animals respond to humans. I am lucky enough to have been able to visit some of the great national parks in the US but I saw two events that stuck out that are not dissimilar from this, and really show how irresponsible people can be.
1. a British couple with their child got very, very, close to a herd of bison in the Grand Tetons and to make matters worse, the father tried to get close to a mother with a calf so they can have a “cutsey photo” (get it, bison mom and calf..and he is a parent as well!). Anyways, the bison started to stomp at the ground and just hyper focused on the dude. It was like everything was still for a second and he didn’t realize it. The animals must have been habituated enough to handle the photo but holy crap, that was dangerous.
2. To add to that…I literally saw an entire group of people stand around (within about 6 feet) of a black bear munching on a deer. They all had their cameras (with a telescopic lens!) and here they were…I drove past them and saw that but wow.
I am not shocked by this sad news unfortunately. I can imagine how difficult it is to manage so many people throughout such large spaces but I really hope such events can prevented in the future.
Is it the guests fault the calf was rejected? after reading the story it seems like the calf was left behind after it couldn’t climb the river bank and was left behind.
Vinca1is says
This has been the standard in Yellowstone forever, they explicitly tell you to stay away from the bison
isthisnamestupid says
A doxxing we will go, a doxxing we will go, hi ho the merrio
[deleted] says
[deleted]
Pvh1103 says
“Its siblings were torn to shreds by bears and wolves in the following weeks, nature is rough”
Gilgie says
I thought the idea of animals rejecting babies after being handled by people was debunked. Is this a fake story to keep people from messing with wildlife?
Sh0t2kill says
If you know anything about nature and preservation than you know this is the right call. Especially with Bison. The park released a very informative open letter about the incident. This is 100% the visitors fault. These parks are NOT zoos, they’re preserves. Which means they *preserve* the natural course of nature. If a baby separates or is rejected from the herd, it will die. That’s how nature works. You’re not a “hero” for trying to save this animal. You’re impeding the ecosystem.
zomboromcom says
Everyone knows when a bison falls from a tree you can’t just return it to its nest.
Janaedd says
That’s what I was wondering too. Maybe something to do with it being a National Park?
restore_democracy says
But not the guest, apparently.
NsaAgent25 says
Not as good as when a family somehow got one into their car and drove to a park ranger to complain “it was too cold for the thing”
TravellingBeard says
Serious question…if the baby was rejected, could it not have been taken to a sanctuary/preserve/zoo to live out its life, or does this happen too often and no one can do so?
Car_is_mi says
Can we euthanize the “guest” too please.
Tired of reading about ignorant clowns doing g stupid shit for a few likes.
suchascenicworld says
So, my background (doctorate) is in behavioral and spatial ecology and I have even worked on projects involving how animals respond to humans. I am lucky enough to have been able to visit some of the great national parks in the US but I saw two events that stuck out that are not dissimilar from this, and really show how irresponsible people can be.
1. a British couple with their child got very, very, close to a herd of bison in the Grand Tetons and to make matters worse, the father tried to get close to a mother with a calf so they can have a “cutsey photo” (get it, bison mom and calf..and he is a parent as well!). Anyways, the bison started to stomp at the ground and just hyper focused on the dude. It was like everything was still for a second and he didn’t realize it. The animals must have been habituated enough to handle the photo but holy crap, that was dangerous.
2. To add to that…I literally saw an entire group of people stand around (within about 6 feet) of a black bear munching on a deer. They all had their cameras (with a telescopic lens!) and here they were…I drove past them and saw that but wow.
I am not shocked by this sad news unfortunately. I can imagine how difficult it is to manage so many people throughout such large spaces but I really hope such events can prevented in the future.
eclipse0109 says
Is it the guests fault the calf was rejected? after reading the story it seems like the calf was left behind after it couldn’t climb the river bank and was left behind.
terrymogara says
Remind me never to approach a car and ask for help.