A bison calf at Yellowstone National Park in the US has been put down because it was repeatedly rejected by its herd after tourists tried to save it from the cold.
Park wardens condemned the stupidity of two tourists who had loaded the animal into the back of their vehicle to keep it warm.
"Interference by people can cause mothers to reject their offspring. The calf was euthanised because it was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway," said the wardens.
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"In recent weeks visitors in the park have been engaging in inappropriate, dangerous and illegal behaviour with wildlife. These actions endanger people and have now resulted in the death of a newborn bison calf."
Park officials said the foreign tourists had been acting out of "misplaced concern" for the animal and had driven it back to park rangers in their SUV.
Karen Richardson, a park visitor who was at a ranger station when the tourists arrived with the calf, told East Idaho News: "They wanted to talk to the rangers. They insisted the animal was freezing cold and dying. Crazy stuff happens in Yellowstone all the time and this is just one example that park rangers have to deal with."
Another visitor had apparently warned the tourists that they did not need to "rescue" the animal.
"They sincerely thought they were doing a service and helping that calf by trying to save it from the cold," he said.
The identities and nationalities of the tourists have not been revealed as an investigation is continuing. Wardens confirmed: "They received an initial ticket for $110 but they could face further charges."
