Yellowstone National Park is warning visitors not to approach bison there after a man was seen on video attempting to challenge one of the animals.
In the video, taken July 31, a line of cars is stopped while a bison as big as some of the cars wanders around on the road. A man later identified as Raymond Reinke, 55, from Pendleton, Oregon, is seen waving his arms and leaning threateningly toward the bison, then backing off and running away as the bison lumbers toward him, National Parks Traveler reported.
Luckily for Reinke, the bison quickly lost interest in him and wandered off to the side of the road. Yellowstone visitor Lindsey Jones took the video, ABC News reported.
The footage became part of an ongoing investigation that later discovered Reinke had been detained twice in the days and hours before the video was taken. He spent the night of July 28 in Teton County Jail for drunk and disorderly behavior while at Grand Teton National Park. After he was released on bond, Reinke then was cited as a passenger for failing to wear a seatbelt but appeared to be intoxicated on July 31 just before the video was taken, the Traveler reported.
When reports about Reinke approaching the bison surfaced Thursday, Reinke’s bail for the previous arrest was revoked and he was arrested at Glacier National Park on Thursday night on charges of harrassing wildlife. He was found while reportedly arguing with another guest at the Many Glacier Hotel where he was staying.
Official regulations at Yellowstone National Park state visitors must stay at least 25 yards away from all animals including bison, KRTV reported, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.
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