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Colorado Wildlife Officials: Leave Newborn Animals Alone

DENVER (CBS4)- Wildlife officials in Colorado commented on the tragic situation of the newborn baby bison that had to be put down after tourists in Yellowstone put the animal in their car.

The national park explained what happened on their Facebook page after stories began circulating the web.

baby bison yellowstone
(credit: Karen Olsen Richardson, Facebook)

Officials said visitors were cited last week for placing a newborn bison calf in the trunk of their SUV and transporting it to a park facility. The tourists claim they were concerned for the animal's welfare, possibly about it being cold.

Park rangers repeatedly attempted to reunite the calf with the herd, but efforts failed. They were forced to euthanize the calf as it was abandoned and began creating a dangerous situation by consistently approaching people and cars along the road.

bison
Bison with calf (credit: Yellowstone National Park, Facebook) Yellowstone National Park / Facebook

Jennifer Churchill with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said animal behavior may seem unusual but there is a reason wild animals do things a certain way.

"A lot of times with baby mammals the mother has left them there to keep them safe. Baby mammals are born without a scent and so this way predators can't find them. So if you go and touch that animal, it could actually cause the mother to reject that animal," said Churchill.

People getting too close to wildlife is often an all too common occurrence, especially in Colorado. Last fall, man was attacked on off Highway 34 near the Estes Park Visitor's Center after he apparently got too close to an elk herd. He was rushed to the hospital.

Estes Park Elk Injury (CREDIT Marci Bowden)
A picture of the man just before he was attacked (credit: Marci Bowden)

Officials say if you see an animal in a situation that calls for concern, call wildlife officials, don't act on your own.

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