Quebec man ordered to 'not pick up any more bison,' donate to Yellowstone

A Quebec man who made international headlines for putting ashivering bison calf into his SUV at Yellowstone National Park wasordered on Thursday to refrain from picking up any other bison as partof his probation.

As part of a guilty plea to a wildlife disturbance citation, ShamashKassam was also fined a total of $235 and ordered to donate $500 tothe 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 theoffence, 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 makethe donation by Oct. 31, 2016.

"The court has determined that the defendant does not have theability to pay interest or penalties," the documents show.

Bison was 'wet and shivering,' Kassamsaid

On May 9, a patrolling officer, responding to a tip, found Kassam andhis son near an area known as Buffalo Ranch.

Kassam told him they had spotted a "wet and shivering'' baby bison inthe middle of the road near a river. They waited for 20 minutes to seeif any other bison would come back for the young animal, the officersaid they told him.

"After 20 minutes they still could not see any bison anywhere in thevicinity, the bison calf would not leave their vehicle, appearing tobe seeking warmth from the engine," the officer said in his criminalcitation.

"Kassam stated he decided to pick up the bison calf or it would havebeen road kill, and drive to the Buffalo Ranch and call lawenforcement."

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 theyoungster and Kassam apologized and said he had no intention to causeany harm.

Wildlife officers tried to release the calf back to a nearby herd butthe reunification effort failed and the animal had to be euthanizedbecause, according to the park, it was "causing a dangerous situationby continually approaching people and cars along the roadway."

Park regulations require visitors stay at least 23 metres from allwildlife including bison, elk and deer and at least 91 metres frombears and wolves.