Man accused of kicking bison in Yellowstone arrested on alcohol charges

An Idaho man was arrested on alcohol and other charges after allegedly kicking a bison in Yellowstone National Park last week — and was injured by one of the huge animals, authorities said Monday.

The Idaho Falls man is accused of kicking a bison in the leg on West Entrance Road on April 21, the National Park Service said. His injuries were minor, the park service said in a statement.

He was arrested and charged with being under the influence of alcohol to a degree likely to endanger the person, disorderly conduct creating or maintaining a dangerous condition, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife, the park service said.

A woman he was with was charged with driving under the influence, failure to yield and disturbing wildlife, the document said. The Rangers stopped the car they were in in West Yellowstone, Montana, according to the service.

Both have pleaded not guilty, the park service said.

Male bison can weigh around 2,000 pounds. The population living in the park can vary between around 3,000 and almost 6,000; last summer, biologists counted 4,830, according to the park It isservice website.