Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Guilty Canadian Ordered To 'Not Pick Up Any More Bison,' Donate To Yellowstone

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jun, 2016 12:23 PM
    A Canadian man who made international headlines for putting a shivering bison calf into his SUV at Yellowstone National Park was ordered on Thursday to refrain from picking up any other bison as part of his probation.
     
    As part of a guilty plea to a wildlife disturbance citation, Shamash Kassam was also fined a total of $235 and ordered to donate $500 to the park's wildlife protection fund.
     
    Documents from Wyoming district court show Kassam, of Brossard, Que., appeared via telephone for a hearing at which he pleaded guilty to the offence, after which the calf had to be put down.
     
    Special conditions under his six months probation include that he "shall not pick up any more bison" and must pay the fines and make the donation by Oct. 31, 2016.
     
    "The court has determined that the defendant does not have the ability to pay interest or penalties," the documents show.
     
    On May 9, a patrolling officer, responding to a tip, found Kassam and his son near an area known as Buffalo Ranch.
     
    Kassam told him they had spotted a "wet and shivering" baby bison in the middle of the road near a river. They waited for 20 minutes to see if any other bison would come back for the young animal, the officer said they told him.
     
    "After 20 minutes they still could not see any bison anywhere in the vicinity, the bison calf would not leave their vehicle, appearing to be seeking warmth from the engine," the officer said in his criminal citation.
     
    "Kassam stated he decided to pick up the bison calf or it would have been road kill, and drive to the Buffalo Ranch and call law enforcement."
     
    The officer said the calf was in the trunk of the Toyota Sequoia.
     
    He said he explained how the mother might not be able to find the youngster and Kassam apologized and said he had no intention to cause any harm.
     
    Wildlife officers tried to release the calf back to a nearby herd but the reunification effort failed and the animal had to be euthanized because, according to the park, it was "causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway."
     
    Park regulations require visitors stay at least 23 metres from all wildlife — including bison, elk and deer — and at least 91 metres from bears and wolves.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Guilty Pleas In Cases Of Misuse Of Patient Records From Toronto Hospitals

    Guilty Pleas In Cases Of Misuse Of Patient Records From Toronto Hospitals
    Nellie Acar pleaded guilty to one count of secret commissions and one count of using a forged document, while Esther Cruz pleaded guilty to two counts of secret commissions.

    Guilty Pleas In Cases Of Misuse Of Patient Records From Toronto Hospitals

    US Teen Births Fall Again, Another Drop In Decades Of Decline

    US Teen Births Fall Again, Another Drop In Decades Of Decline
    NEW YORK — Teen pregnancies fell again last year, to another historic low, a government report shows.

    US Teen Births Fall Again, Another Drop In Decades Of Decline

    Justin Trudeau Pays Tribute To Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie

    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is paying tribute to Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie — and leaving the door open to looking at the issue of fairness in ticket sales.

    Justin Trudeau Pays Tribute To Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest
    TORONTO — A group of teenagers from the remote Grassy Narrows First Nation were ejected from the Ontario legislature today for wearing T-shirts reading: "water is sacred."

    Grassy Narrows Teens Ejected From Ontario Legislature For Protest

    Parks Canada Removes Fee For Sweat Lodge Ceremony At Manitoba Historic Site

    Lower Fort Garry plans to hold three sweat lodges this summer, an ancient ceremony performed by indigenous people in North America.

    Parks Canada Removes Fee For Sweat Lodge Ceremony At Manitoba Historic Site

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'
    Police say the person was seen crossing a walking trail on St. Mary's Street Thursday morning.

    Six Fredericton Schools On Lockdown While Police Search For 'Person Of Interest'