While Wyoming State Highway Patrolman Major Keith Groeneweg’s social media post may have been irresponsible, Yellowstone Park Officials have determined he did not violate any park rules while getting a picture with the wild bison according to The Casper Star Tribune.
The third highest ranking officer in the Wyoming State Highway Patrol tagged his picture with the following:
“Yellowstone signs everywhere: ‘Stay 100 yards from animals. They can be dangerous.’ Keith’s translation: ‘Time to sneak up and hug a buffalo!’#YNP #ILoveWyoming.”
Groeneweg explained to officials that despite the appearance of the photo and his caption on social media, he was in accordance with the 25 yard rule for bison and was actually separated from the animal by a ravine during the picture. As a reminder to Yellowstone visitors, people on foot must remain at least 100 yards away from wolves and bears and 25 yards away from all other animals.
With the recent uptick of illegal and often damaging human interaction with wildlife in our national parks, social media posts like this are understandably cause for concern, but in this case it was just a rascally Wyomingite using a little camera trick to have a bit of fun on vacation.
