Bison Encounter in Yellowstone Leads to Serious Injuries
A man sustained serious injuries after an encounter with a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Friday, leaving witnesses in shock.
Mike MacLeod, a photographer, was at the Bay Bridge campground where he witnessed the distressing event, as reported by Cowboy State Daily.
An elderly man was out for a walk with his grandson when they observed a bison nearby, which was rubbing its face in the dirt, from a distance.
MacLeod noted that the bison charged towards a group of children who were able to escape without harm.
Recalling the scene, MacLeod, a former Army combat photographer, expressed concern at the escalating situation. “He was sitting in the dust with his head out toward the road… when the bison started getting up, the old man was like, ‘Okay, time to go,’ and they left behind those trees,” he said.
In footage from the incident, the bison charged, and they momentarily disappeared from view. Soon after, the elderly man was seen fleeing from cover, chased by the bison.
When the bison caught up with him, it launched him eight feet into the air, and he landed hard on the ground while the bison stood over him.
Warning — Graphic video:
MacLeod, fearing for the man’s safety as the bison loomed, acted quickly to help. “I stopped filming and ran towards the bison, yelling and trying to be as loud and intimidating as possible,” he recalled.
Others joined his efforts, and eventually, the bison retreated. Paramedics arrived and later learned from the grandson that the elderly man had sustained serious injuries.
According to the National Park Service, bison in the park can run as fast as 35 miles per hour, leap over tall barriers, and even swim. They advised visitors to keep a safe distance from wildlife. MacLeod mentioned that people were indeed cautious, warning one another about the bison’s presence.
Despite the precautions, the bison was clearly agitated, charging at whatever crossed its path. The article from Daily explained that bison rut typically occurs from June to September, causing male bison to become more energetic and competitive.
This isn’t the first incident of its kind. Earlier in June, a 12-year-old tourist was injured during an encounter with a bison near a mud volcano in the park. Following that event, the National Park Service reported that the visitor was transported to a nearby hospital, and the incident is still under investigation.
