A young Florida girl learned the hard way that while bison might appear docile, they can quickly charge you/NPS, Jacob W. Frank file
A 9-year-old Florida girl avoided serious injury when tossed into the air by a bison bull at Yellowstone National Park.
Park staff said the incident happened Monday afternoon after a group of roughly 50 visitors came within 5-10 feet of the bull near the Observation Point Trail not far from the Old Faithful Geyser. The bison tolerated the crowding for about 20 minutes before charging the onlookers and tossing the girl into the air, according to witnesses.
The girl's family, from Odessa, took her to the Old Faithful Lodge, where she received initial care from medical providers, and then was taken to the Old Faithful Clinic for a more thorough checkup before she was released.
Rangers were said to still be investigating the incident Tuesday.
Each year some visitors at Yellowstone approach bison too closely and are injured, some seriously, when charged. Yellowstone staff continually try to remind visitors that the park's wildlife can be dangerous and that they need to keep their distances. Park regulations say visitors should stay at least 25 yards away from bison, elk, bighorn sheep, moose, deer and coyotes, and at least 100 yards from wolves and bears.
Comments
People that get that close are total idiots. I. This case their parents are !!!
The parents should be arrested for child endangerment for getting so close.
We have been going there for years and have seen so many people that think that it won't happen to them, but guess what. It does and will. Don't be stupid. Listen to the warnings and be safe.
Even at 100 yards away from bear and wolves, I want to be faster than those around me!
This people who don't follow direction when they enter the park should be escorted out and not be allowed in the park this year. If the idiots can't obey it makes it harder for other's who want to come visit the park in personally cars won't be allowed before long, and have to use a travel bus to see the park.
Does the park need to mark off distances in 25 and 100 yards so the tourists can see how far that is? Better use metric measurements too, for the foreigners.
I blame the parents.
It is amazing how many people are so stupid and have no common sense about getting near wild animals. The parents should have known better, than to be that close with their child. If something happens to guests, because of not obeying rules, then they should forever be banned from ALL National parks for life.