Yellowstone Buffalo Blockade: Activists Face Federal Charges

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING – Three individuals are facing federal charges following separate incidents within Yellowstone National Park on March 6, 2018, disrupting park operations and prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The Grimy Times has learned the charges stem from both direct interference with a park function and unauthorized entry into closed areas.

The most brazen incident involved Cody J. Cyson, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Thomas L. Brown, of East Hardwick, Vermont. The pair were apprehended just after 5:00 am on March 6th at the Stephens Creek Administrative Facility. According to court documents, Cyson and Brown chained themselves to the squeeze chute, actively attempting to halt the shipping of buffalo penned at the facility. They utilized a steel tube and chain to physically secure themselves, a deliberate act of obstruction.

Park law enforcement responded to the scene and took both Cyson and Brown into custody. They now each face one count of entering a closed area and one count of interference with an agency function – federal offenses carrying potential jail time and significant fines. Sources within the park service suggest the buffalo shipping was part of a routine management program, aiming to control the park’s bison population.

In a separate, but equally concerning, incident, Hanna F. Ponder, of Donnelly, Idaho, was charged with entering a closed area. Ponder was discovered by law enforcement in the bison closure of the Reese Creek drainage area during the morning hours of March 6th. She reportedly claimed she was birdwatching, a flimsy explanation given the restricted nature of the area and the ongoing buffalo management operations. Investigators are questioning the veracity of this claim.

All three defendants – Cyson, Brown, and Ponder – made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court on March 7, 2018. The prosecution immediately filed a motion for their detention, arguing that their actions demonstrate a disregard for federal law and a potential for continued disruption. A bond hearing has been scheduled for March 12th at 10:30 a.m., where a judge will determine whether the defendants will remain in custody pending trial.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story. The motivations behind these acts of defiance remain unclear, but sources suggest a connection to radical animal rights groups. The park service has tightened security in response, and further disruptions are anticipated. The full extent of the damage and cost to the park remains under investigation, and additional charges are possible.