An 83-year-old woman was seriously injured in Yellowstone National Park after being gored by a bison that was “guarding its territory,” park officials said.
The tourist from Greenville, South Carolina, was attacked by a bison near Storm Point Trail on Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming on June 1, according to the National Park Service.
“The bison, in an attempt to defend its position, came within several feet of the female and used its antlers to lift her approximately one foot off the ground,” the National Park Service said in a statement. “The female sustained serious injuries.”
She was then flown by helicopter to a hospital in Idaho, authorities said, adding that the incident remains under investigation.
Idaho man arrested after drunkenly kicking Yellowstone bison, authorities say
Tourists watch a bison and its baby cross the road in Yellowstone National Park in June 2021. A tourist was gored by a bison’s horns in Yellowstone on Saturday, June 1, according to park officials. (William Campbell/Getty Images)
The National Park Service says that while bison are “not aggressive animals,” they “will defend their territory when threatened” and “are responsible for more injuries to people in Yellowstone than any other animal.”
“They are unpredictable and can run up to three times faster than humans,” according to the National Park Service.
“It is your responsibility to stay at least 25 yards away from any large animal, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves,” it also reads. “If necessary, move or turn around and go in the opposite direction to avoid close contact with wildlife.”
He uses pepper spray to scare off an attacking grizzly bear in Grand Teton National Park
American Bison in Yellowstone National Park. (Nano Carbo/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Last month, an Idaho man was arrested after he allegedly kicked a bison in Yellowstone National Park while drunk, park officials said at the time.
Clarence Yoder, 40, of Idaho Falls, was injured in the accident, which happened April 21 near the park’s west entrance.
“Rangers responded to a report of an individual threatening a herd of bison and kicking the bison’s legs,” the National Park Service said in a statement. “Rangers found the suspect’s vehicle near the west entrance and stopped it in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.”
“Yoder was arrested and charged with 1) being under the influence of alcohol to a degree that endangers, 2) disorderly conduct creating or maintaining a dangerous condition, 3) approaching wildlife and 4) disturbing wildlife,” park officials added.
An Idaho man was recently injured after kicking a bison in Yellowstone National Park, authorities said. (NPS/Jacob W. Frank)
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Police said Yoder “suffered minor injuries from the encounter with the bison” and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment and then transported to the Gallatin County Jail.
