Quebec man apologizes after trying to 'save' bison calf

A Yellowstone National Park tourist from Quebec, who made international headlines after putting a bison calf in the back of his SUV, has officially apologized to park officials.

Shamash Kassam has been cited for disturbing wildlife, received a $110 ticket and is set to appear at the Yellowstone Justice Center on June 2nd after intervening with a bison calf he found on the road, reports the Casper Star Tribune.

“Kassam stated that he understood what he did was wrong and he would never pick up or disturb any wildlife again,” a citation reads.

Kassam reportedly loaded the young animal into the back of his Toyota Sequoia because it was cold and shivering.

He also said he waited for about 20 minutes for the calf’s mother to claim its young, but eventually decided to load it into his SUV because he thought it was going to die.

Park rangers did attempt to reunite the lost calf with its herd afterward, but unfortunately it was rejected and later euthanized because it was approaching cars and people along the road.

The newborn calf was also put down because park officials simply don’t have the resources to care for a calf at such a young age.

“Nor is it the mission of the National Park Service to rescue animals: our goal is to maintain the ecological processes of Yellowstone,” park officials said in a statement.

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park are prohibited from intervening with animals, and park regulations also require visitors to stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife.

The park also advises against interfering with baby animals, as it can cause mothers to either reject their young or be unable to locate them.

Another reason tourists shouldn’t interfere with baby animals is simply because its dangerous thing to do. Wild bison harm more tourists than any other animal in Yellowstone, and often because they’re trying to protect their young.