Second Visitor Gored by Bison in Yellowstone National Park within Three Days
Written by Caleb Nelson on June 30, 2022
Yellowstone National Park released information this morning about a second visitor who has been gored by a bison. This is the second goring within three days of the previous incident.
Bull bison near Roaring Mountain (not a photo of the incident described below), courtesy of NPS, Diane Renkin, Yellowstone National Park
According to the press release, “A 71-year-old woman from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was gored by a bull bison near Storm Point at Yellowstone Lake on Wednesday, June 29.”
Apparently, the woman and her daughter “inadvertently” approached a bison as they were returning to their vehicle near a trailhead when the bull bison charged. The woman has sustained “non-life-threatening injuries” after the encounter the YNP explains. She was transported by ambulance to West Park Hospital in Cody, Wyoming.
Currently, the encounter remains under investigation and there is no additional to share, according to Yellowstone representatives.
Unfortunately, this is the third reported bison and visitor incident so far in 2022. Previous incidents include the May 30th attack near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin and the attack, also near a boardwalk, at Giant Geyser on June 28th.
With the number of recent injuries involving park visitors and bison, Yellowstone National Park is asking folks to keep the following safety tips in mind:
How to view wildlife safely
- Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached.
- Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.
- Stay more than 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.
- Approaching bison threatens them and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent.
- Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.
- Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.
- Read more about safety in the park, including how to view wildlife safely.
- Visitors: This year marks 150 Years of Yellowstone. Protect the park today and for future generations. Take the Yellowstone Pledge!
