Bison Attack Injures Tourist in Yellowstone National Park

A tourist in Yellowstone National Park found himself in a frightening situation when a bull bison tossed him into the air, resulting in serious injuries. The whole incident, quite dramatic, was captured on video.

In the footage, an unidentified man can be seen being flung eight feet into the air like a rag doll by the bison at Bridge Bay Campground, as reported by local news outlets.

Apparently, the man was walking alongside his grandson when the bison, which had previously been dust bathing, suddenly charged at them.

The video shows the man attempting to flee through a thicket of pine trees when the bison unexpectedly lunged, violently headbutting him and sending him soaring into the air.

Mike McLeod, a photographer from Montana who was present at the scene, mentioned, “I was just trying to get some dramatic footage of a bison,” adding that the event changed his expectations of bison behavior during this season. He never imagined he would witness such aggression.

McLeod explained that the bison began to wander around the campsite, even approaching a group of children taking photos from a distance, before charging at them, prompting his intervention.

He stated, “I had to get the bison’s attention. I was really scared that he was going to hurt the guy on the ground, so I stopped filming and ran towards the bison, shouting to scare it away.”

Once the bison moved away, McLeod and others rushed to assist the injured man. He felt significant pain, especially in his lower back and leg, but could not visibly see any injuries.

According to McLeod, immediate actions were taken to ensure everyone’s safety. One person held back the bison, while another contacted authorities, but thankfully, no blood was found among the injured party.

As for the victim’s condition, there’s been no recent update. McLeod suggested that the bison’s behavior could be attributed to its territorial instincts, given that it’s currently mating season from June to September, a time when male bison can show increased aggression and energetic displays.

“You could say he was upset, angry, lashing out at everything,” McLeod reflected.