Grandfather Survives Bison Attack in Yellowstone

A grandfather from Washington state recently experienced a shocking encounter in Yellowstone National Park when a bison launched him nearly eight feet into the air. Currently recovering in a hospital, Carl Isom McDaniel, 65, is sharing the frightening details of the incident.

The ordeal occurred on July 10, shortly after dinner at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake. McDaniel was walking with his 13-year-old grandson when they paused to snap some photos of a bison resting nearby.

Mike MacLeod, a wildlife photographer, witnessed the alarming event and recorded it on video. He described how the bison suddenly became aggressive, charging at McDaniel and his grandson.

“As Carl and his grandson started to walk away, the bison spotted them and lunged,” MacLeod recounted. He noted that McDaniel acted heroically to protect his grandson by diverting the bison’s attention.

“Carl told his grandson to run along the trail while he drew the bison away,” MacLeod explained. This split-second decision was crucial for the young boy’s safety.

MacLeod also attempted to distract the bison by waving his arms and yelling at other campers for help. “I ran as fast as I could, trying to get the bison’s attention,” he said, drawing upon his training in wildlife biology.

A gripping video has since circulated online, showing the moment McDaniel was thrown by the bison. Once the commotion settled, MacLeod shifted from filming to aiding McDaniel, who was in obvious distress.

Following the incident, McDaniel’s immediate concern was his grandson. “How’s my grandson doing?” was his first question after the attack, as reported by MacLeod.

Despite suffering a fractured femur in four places upon landing, McDaniel managed to remain in good spirits. “He was in a lot of pain, but he started making jokes as people came to help,” MacLeod recalled.

McDaniel later remarked about the bison’s behavior, stating, “It didn’t show any signs of aggression until it picked me as a target.” He urged his grandson to get to safety before confronting the animal.

Yellowstone Park officials confirmed that the bison was not euthanized after the attack. Bison can be aggressive, especially during the summer mating season known as estrus, and they are known to have caused more injuries to park visitors than any other animal.

Experts warn that when encountering wild animals, maintaining a safe distance is crucial. Visitors should stay at least 25 meters away from large animals like bison and elk and 100 meters from predators such as bears and wolves.

In sharing his story, McDaniel hopes to stress the importance of observing wildlife from a safe distance and respecting their space. “They move faster than you can imagine,” he stated, reflecting on the sheer power of the bison.