Idaho Man Who Allegedly ‘Kicked a Bison in the Leg’ Is Arrested on Alcohol Charge
The 40-year-old male, Clarence Yoder, was reportedly injured by a bison after approaching the animal 'too closely' on April 21
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A stock image of a bisonAn Idaho man, who allegedly kicked a bison in the leg, has been arrested on an alcohol charge.
According to a press release from the National Park Service, the 40-year-old male, Clarence Yoder of Idaho, was injured by the bison after approaching the animal “too closely” at the Yellowstone National Park on April 21.
The incident, which took place on “the West Entrance Road near the Seven Mile Bridge, 7 miles east of the park’s West Entrance,” saw rangers being alerted about a person who had “harassed a herd of bison and kicked a bison in the leg.”
“They located the suspect's vehicle near the West Entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana,” the press release added before reporting that Yoder was arrested and charged with being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself, disorderly conduct as to create or maintain a hazardous condition, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife.
PEOPLE has contacted the Yellowstone Police Department for comment
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37-year-old McKenna Bass of Idaho Falls - who had been driving the vehicle Yoder traveled in - was also arrested and charged with driving under the influence, interference for failure to yield to emergency light activation and disturbing wildlife, the park service said in the statement.
Yoder was reportedly taken to a nearby medical facility after receiving undisclosed injuries from the bison. After receiving treatment, he was taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center.
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“Yoder and Bass appeared in court on April 22 and pleaded not guilty to the charges,” the press release read. “At this point, these are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Each violation can result in fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail.”
The National Park Service reports that the incident remains under investigation with “no additional information to share.”
The incident is also the first time a visitor has been injured by a bison in 2024, with the last report of a visitor being injured taking place on July 17, 2023 and three incidents occurring in 2022.
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