Tyrus shares thoughts on bison incident with Yellowstone tourist

Panelist Tyrus from Greg Gutfeld’s show offers a humorous perspective on a recent event in Yellowstone National Park. He comments on a viral video showing a bison attacking two tourists, including one who was thrown into the air. Tyrus also advises people to keep their distance from bison, noting that even trees can be important for safety.

This month, a man from Wyoming experienced a scenario that no dog owner wants to envision. His Labrador was suddenly attacked by a mountain lion. In a moment of desperation, he kicked the big cat in the face to save his dog.

Adam Borkhus, a 33-year-old amateur wildlife photographer, was on the lookout for elk near Cody, Wyoming, on September 19. While he stopped to change camera lenses, he let his 2-year-old Labrador, Diesel, out of the vehicle. Just moments later, he heard a yelp from his dog.

Rushing into the brush, Borkhus discovered a mountain lion on top of Diesel. Although he had a firearm and bear spray available, he hesitated to use them as his dog was entangled with the cat. So, he resorted to a swift kick — Plan C, as he called it.

The kick effectively got the mountain lion off Diesel, but it also attracted the cat’s attention. Borkhus recounted, “The lion spun around and looked at me. Then it pounced and hit me in the chest.” Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing about 300 pounds, he was still knocked onto his back by the roughly 70-pound feline. He managed to keep its teeth away from his face and neck while hitting it with one hand until he grabbed its ear and twisted it, causing the lion to flee.

The entire encounter, according to Borkhus, lasted about 20 to 30 seconds. He came away with some scratches, but remarkably, Diesel seemed unharmed. Meanwhile, as his owner battled with the mountain lion, Diesel had taken refuge back in the vehicle, perhaps showing a lack of protective instincts, but still, he’s a good boy.

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion

Kicking a mountain lion in the face worked out for Borkhus, but it likely isn’t the best first response. The Wyoming Game and Fish agency notes that human-wildlife conflicts are rare but offers important guidelines for those venturing into mountain lion territories.

First advice? Don’t approach a mountain lion — which is pretty obvious. Instead, give it space and try to stay calm. It’s recommended to speak clearly and firmly while avoiding the instinct to run. Also, traveling in groups can help reduce the chances of encountering a lion unexpectedly.

Should things turn aggressive, however, the official recommendation is to fight back. As stated by Wyoming Game and Fish, “If a mountain lion attacks you, fight back and defend yourself.”

The Mountain Lion Foundation’s researcher, Joshua Lisbon, emphasizes keeping dogs leashed or under control in wildlife settings. In case of an attack, he suggests using bear spray rather than jumping into a physical confrontation, even if it risks spraying your own dog.

This advice, while sound, is probably much easier to digest sitting at home than during a terrifying encounter with a mountain lion. Fortunately, in this instance, Borkhus and Diesel came out okay.