According to information provided by officials at Yellowstone National Park, a 40-year old man, Clarence Yoder of Idaho Falls, approached a bison on the afternoon of April 21, 2024 and was injured during the encounter.

Information from YNP stated that the incident occurred on the West Entrance Road near Seven Mile Bridge, located seven miles east of the park’s West Entrance. Reports stated that Rangers responded to the area after information that an individual was harassing a herd of bison and had also kicked a bison in the leg. After responding to the suspect’s vehicle near the West Entrance, Rangers stopped them in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yoder was arrested and charged with 1) being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself, 2) disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition, 3) approaching wildlife, and 4) disturbing wildlife.

Also cited in the incident was the driver of the vehicle, 37-year old McKenna Bass of Idaho Falls, who was also arrested for 1) driving under the influence, 2) interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation, and 3) disturbing wildlife.

Information provided by the park stated that Yoder sustained minor injures from the encounter with the bison. He was transported to a nearby medical facility where he was evaluated, treated and released before being transported to Gallatin County Detention Center.

Both Yoder and Bass appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to information from YNP, “these are merely allegations and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

Each violation could result in fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.

The incident remains under investigation. This is the first reported incident of a visitor being injured by a bison in 2024. The last reported incident occurred on July 17, 2023. There was one reported incident in 2023 and three in 2022.

More information on park safety regarding animals in the area can be found here.