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Bison Headbutts Woman At Yellowstone National Park

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Published Date

May 20, 2020
A woman escaped serious injury Wednesday when she was knocked to the ground by a bison in Yellowstone National Park/Rebecca Latson file

A woman escaped serious injury Wednesday when she was knocked to the ground by a bison in Yellowstone National Park/Rebecca Latson file

Bison 1, visitors 0.

That's the tally at Yellowstone National Park just three days into its reopening for the year as a woman was knocked to the ground Wednesday by a bison in the Upper Geyser Basin.

Park staff said the unidentified woman was butted to the ground Wednesday afternoon after she came within 25 yards of the bison. Park emergency medical providers responded to the incident immediately and assessed the woman, who refused transport to a medical facility.

This is the first incident of a bison injuring a visitor in 2020.

The park's wildlife are wild. When an animal is near a trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, park regulations require that you give it space. Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes and at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.

If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity, park staff say.

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Comments

Submitted by Amarillobymorning on May 22, 2020 - 1:41pm.

Bison appear cumbersome with their heavy front quarters and absurdly skinny legs. Far from it! I pastured three domestic bison cows for a summer. They were smaller and lighter than the bison you see in the parks. They'd be lying around, dozing and looking blissful. But if a dog trotted along near the fence (steel pipe and diamond wire), they'd be up and running toward it at warp speed. Heads down and in serious stomp mode. Could stop and turn on a dime. This looks like a case of a failed attempt at improving the gene pool -- and I don't mean bison genes.


Submitted by Herman on May 24, 2020 - 1:04am.

I know what you mean by that comment. Must have been a city women not knowing to not be around a male animal during a certain time of the month. Or he was protecting his females.


Submitted by Eric S. on May 26, 2020 - 1:30pm.

Once again: stupid is, as stupid does


Submitted by Agnes B on May 26, 2020 - 4:05pm.

It is a shame that everyone can't just obey the rules :(


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