The other day two hikers in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone National Park were charged by a bison, and one was head-butted and flipped into the air. Initially, the park's report sounded as if the bison attacked unprovoked. But this video shows differently.
This is how the park's release explained the incident:
At about 8:30 p.m. on July 19, a 49-year-old woman and a 61-year-old male family member were exiting the Biscuit Basin thermal area to rejoin their family group in the parking lot, when a bison appeared in some nearby brush and charged them. The woman was struck and flipped in the air by the bison.
She sustained injuries as a result of the bison’s impact and subsequent fall to the ground. As her male family member attempted to escape the bison’s charge, he tripped and fell, sustaining injuries to his shoulder, hand, and foot. He was not injured by the bison.
However, a reporter for CNN tracked down the woman who filmed the "attack," and filed the following report. In the video it's easy to see that the two approached way too close to the bison, which was minding it's own business. And, if you look closely enough at the video, it appears someone threw a stick at the bison and hit it in the flanks.
With this information in hand, it'll be curious to learn whether park officials decide to cite the two, and whether anyone can finger who threw the stick at the bison. Park regulations require you to stay at least 25 yards -- 75 feet -- from bison and elk, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. And, the park's website notes, "Those who fail to abide by these requirements not only put themselves in danger, they may also be subject to a citation and fine."
Fortunately for the couple, they weren't killed or even seriously injured.
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Comments
Wildlife are fascinating, and fun to watch and film, but they are not "Bambi". They have to fight to survive the elements and predators. They also have to fight their own kind for resources and mates. This applies equally for herbivors and predators. They will attack if they feel threatened. Do not get too close! They are wild animals, not friendly nature pals!
If you are traveling on foot in an area with large wild animals make some noise, so they know you are there, and can move off a safe distance. Try humming, or wear bells. Don't worry, you will still see some wild life. I once had a half grown skunk come out of the woods to look for food on my lawn just minutes after it was mowed. It was late morning, and I was outside with two other people, and we were talking, but the skunk came out anyway. We enjoyed watching it from our safe distance. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera at the time. Once, some years ago, while walking my dog very early one misty morning, we spotted a deer before it could see us. There was a big tree and a big pile of leaves blocking the deer's view of us, so it didn't see us, but it may have heard us. For some reason the dog didn't bark. I managed to restrain him while we watched as the deer slowly moved off. This happened in a residential neighborhood, but even in such places there is wild life to contend with.
Please practice safety when out in wild, and even not so wild places. Remember the camera, and keep it charged. Have fun out there!--Savona, NY
If you can't respect nature and wild animals don't go to places like Yellowstone-- you'll ruin it for the rest of us.
When I look at the video I can see something like a piece of wood hit the Bison on the back (at the 27 second) when he start to jump and then charge.
We call people who do this "tourons," which is a combination of tourist and moron. People who visit parks do things they would never do at home, like stop in the middle of the road and jump out to take pictures. At least this isn't like feeding bears, where we end of with dead bears because of visitors disobeying park rules.
They should make people take IQ tests to gain access to a National Park.
This would reduce over crowding by about 75% and protect the wild life.
i once saw a group of about 25 to 30 people completely encicrle a bull moose to take pictures some folks were only 20 feet away?? luckily a ranger showed up and stopped that party. the moose was NOT happy
Right on! I couldn't have said it any better than that!
This is the second such incident with a bison this summer season. People, unfortunately, think Yellowstone is like Disneyland. They don't respect nature and the wild critters. This is what happens when you test the limits of wildlife. A bison does not understand that you just want a great photo for your family album. They don't understand why you are pushing in on them or why you are even there where they have roamed and grazed freely season after season.The first incident was photographed. A photo showed a woman between the horns of the bison, who head butted her as she and at least six others were within about three feet of it. Bison do not want to be your close buddy, nor do they want to star in your home video. I've watched many times as people harass the bison trying to get their attention. They yell at them, they whistle at them, they throw things at them. If that fails they just move in on them often in a mob. I've also watched people push their children within two or three feet of bison to get that great vacation photo to put on the family Christmas card. Again, folks, this is not Disneyland. These are not mechanical animals nor are they trained circus animals. They are wild. This is their home. You are visiting them. They are not intruding on your territory, you are on theirs. Do not attempt to approach them. They may look slow, but they can move 35 MPH. Can you? Heed the warning signs and you will be safe. As long as I'm ranting -- stay on the trails and boardwalks while in the geyser basins. The crust is thin and you may fall through into a thermal feature. AT 199 degrees, the water will boil the meat right off your bones and yes people have died that way. Come enjoy the beauty and awesomeness of this special unique place, but don't leave your common sense at home.