Subject: Bison Encounters on Catalina Island
PURPOSE OF ORDER:
The purpose of this unit order is to prevent dangerous encounters with Catalina Bison and to prevent deputy personnel from shooting Catalina Bison unless a life and death situation is occurring.
SCOPE:
This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working in any capacity at Avalon Station.
DIRECTIVE:
If you encounter a Catalina Bison, you shall stay in your vehicle and call the Catalina Island Conservancy to handle the incident. You shall monitor the Catalina Bison and update the Catalina Island Conservancy of the situation while you wait for them to arrive at your location.
Do not get out of your vehicle and approach the Catalina Bison. Approaching a bison puts you and others in danger.
Firearms have proven to be relatively ineffective against these large animals. If you see a Catalina Bison charging, or attacking a human, you shall take appropriate action under the circumstances to protect the human.
If someone's life is in immediate danger, take appropriate police action to protect that person.
Example 1: A bison is walking through a campsite. Stay in your vehicle and warn campers from your vehicle. If you feel the bison needs to be moved, call the Catalina Conservancy. Do not use your siren, air horn, or vehicle to move the bison (this will only agitate the bison according to the experts)
Example 2: While you are waiting for the Catalina Conservancy to arrive and the bison starts charging people, and/or attacking people you shall do whatever is safest to protect the person being attacked and yourself. This could be placing your vehicle between the bison and the person being attacked or have the people get into your vehicle and drive them to a safe location. Using a firearm against a Catalina Bison should be avoided and only used as a final option.
Updated: May 31, 2023