Bison Gores Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor

Published Date

July 18, 2023

A Minnesota woman was injured when gored by a bison in the Painted Canyon of Theodore Roosevelt National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

A Minnesota woman touring Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota was significantly injured when gored by a bison, the park announced Tuesday.

The incident happened late Saturday morning at the Painted Canyon Trailhead, according to a park release. Few details were available, other than that she sustained injuries to her abdomen and a foot and was transported to a hospital in Dickenson where she was reported in serious but stable condition.

The goring at Theodore Roosevelt was followed two days later by one at Yellowstone National Park. In that incident, the 47-year-old victim and a companion were out for a walk in the Lake Lodge area on the northern end of Yellowstone Lake when they spotted two bison. The two had turned to walk away from the bison when one charged and gored her. She sustained "significant injuries to her chest and abdomen and was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center" in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Both parks warned visitors that bison are large, powerful, and wild. They can turn quickly and can easily outrun humans. Bulls can be aggressive during the rutting season, mid-July through August.

As at Yellowstone, visitors in Theodore Roosevelt are supposed to stay at least 75 feet from large animals such as bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, and horses.

National Parks are generally safe places and many people visit every year without incident, but visitors must make themselves aware of potential hazards.

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