Bison Incident at Yellowstone National Park

Tourists in New Jersey recently provoked a bison at Yellowstone National Park after getting too close to the animals, according to park officials. The National Park Service (NPS) reported that a 30-year-old man from Randolph was struck in the Upper Geyser Basin, near Old Faithful, at around 9:45 a.m. on a Tuesday.

The man sustained minor injuries and was treated on-site before being transported by emergency medical personnel. This incident marks the second time this year that a bison has injured someone at Yellowstone.

Earlier, on May 4, a 47-year-old tourist from Cape Coral, Florida, was also injured by a bison in a village area after getting too close, prompting similar concerns about safety.

A park official emphasized that, “If people don’t respect their space, wildlife can become aggressive.” Visitors are reminded to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from large animals, which include bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes. For larger predators like bears, wolves, and cougars, the advised distance is at least 100 yards.

Park officials noted that when wildlife approaches, it’s important for visitors to move away to ensure safety. Bison, in particular, are known to be unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans, making it crucial not to invade their space.

In 2024, there have been reports of two separate incidents involving bison, including one from 2023, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for park visitors.