Baby bison euthanized after Yellowstone tourists put it in car

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - A newborn bison calf had to be put down after tourists placed the animal in their vehicle last week, according to authorities at Yellowstone National Park.

The tourists were ticketed last week after officials spotted the calf in the back of their SUV. They allegedly told park officials that they placed the calf in their car because they feared it was getting cold.

The National Park Service said in a statement Monday that the tourists' decision likely cost the bison its life.

"Interference by people can cause mothers to reject their offspring. In this case, park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the newborn bison calf with the herd. These efforts failed," the National Park Service said.

The bison calf was later euthanized, according to officials.

"It was abandoned and causing a dangerous situation by continually approaching people and cars along the roadway," the National Park Service said.