Replicated from the GGA EZBoard:

AllenLacy
Super Poster
(7/18/02 9:28:48 am)
63.237.2.195
Don't harass the wildlife especially in NP

It may be a sign of a sick mind, but I think this is funny and the guy got what he deserved.

Yellowstone NP (WY) - Visitor Gored by Bison

A bull bison gored 37-year-old Paul Jocelyn of Albertville, Minnesota, near Old Faithful Lodge on the afternoon of July 13th. Witnesses said that the bison was grazing near the boardwalk that connects the lodge with Old Faithful geyser. A group of visitors approached to within ten to fifteen feet to take pictures of the animal. Jocelyn stepped out from the group and walked around to the front of the bison to see if it would raise its head for a better picture. The bison chased Jocelyn into the trees, picked him up with his horns, and threw him three to four feet into the air. The bison then stared at Jocelyn and the other visitors for several minutes before walking off and resuming grazing. Jocelyn sustained a puncture wound to his inner right thigh and various scrapes and bruises. Rangers provided initial care; he was then taken to Old Faithful Clinic for treatment of his injuries. Criminal charges are pending against Jocelyn for harassing wildlife. No action will be taken against the bison.

From NPS Morning Report - Tuesday, July 16, 2002

Edited by: AllenLacy at: 7/18/02 9:33:19 am

Editor's note - the above link is correct but no longer points to the referenced article.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
lmoseley
BigDog
(7/18/02 12:13:03 pm)
ezSupporter

Re: Don't harass the wildlife especially in NP

The stupidest thing I ever read about in the NPs was the morons who thought it would be ever-so-cute to have a picture of a BEAR holding their BABY.

Mmmmm! Paw-lickin' good!

--------------------------------
Resist authority!
Desist, authority!

~~~~~~~~~~~~
AllenLacy
Super Poster
(7/18/02 1:12:22 pm)
Re: Don't harass the wildlife especially in NP

The story of the bear and baby picture is a fairly old Urban Legend. The Snopes web site on Urban Legends has info at the Kodiak Moment web page. But it does give good advice when it says:

People are stunningly unaware of how dangerous bears can be and mistake the creatures' seemingly slow movements for signs of docility. ... Though bear attacks are relatively rare, they can be fatal. Bears have pulled people out of tents and eaten them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
CharlieP
Registered Geocacher
(7/18/02 10:22:47 pm)
Re: Don't harass the wildlife especially in NP

I think a lot of this comes from the fact that many folks get all their knowledge of wild animals from television shows which show highly experienced persons approaching or even handling wild animals, everything from crocodiles to sharks. These experts can usually predict animal reactions, but sometimes even the experts are wrong, and get hurt. But they are getting paid for taking chances.

FWIW,
CharlieP