An 83-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park near the Storm Point Trail. The park stated that the bison was defending its space and had lifted the woman about a foot off the ground with its horns. Emergency staff treated the woman at the nearby Lake Medical Clinic before airlifting her to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The park did not provide specific information on her injuries or condition, and the woman was not immediately identified. Yellowstone Park warned visitors to keep their distance from wild animals, especially large animals like bison, as they can be unpredictable and run three times faster than humans.
Yellowstone National Park has seen more people injured by bison than any other animal. In April, an Idaho man was attacked by a bison in Yellowstone after allegedly kicking it and was subsequently charged with various offenses. Other incidents involving bison attacks have occurred in recent years, including a 47-year-old woman and a 71-year-old tourist being gored by bison. Bison are the largest mammals in North America and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Park officials mentioned that bison can become agitated more quickly during their mating season from mid-July to mid-August. Tens of millions of bison once roamed North America, but their numbers were drastically reduced during the westward expansion in the 19th century.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are about 420,000 bison in commercial herds and another 20,500 in conservation herds in the U.S. Bison were driven nearly to extinction during the westward expansion, with their numbers dwindling to just a few hundred at one point. The recent incident with the 83-year-old woman being gored by a bison underscores the importance of visitors respecting the space of wild animals in national parks. The woman’s injuries and condition were not disclosed by the park, which highlights the potential dangers of interacting with wildlife. Visitors are advised to keep their distance from large animals like bison and to stay at least 25 yards away to avoid potential conflicts.
The incident involving the 83-year-old woman being gored by a bison is the latest in a series of bison-related injuries in Yellowstone National Park. The park has reiterated the need for visitors to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from wild animals. Despite being the largest mammals in North America, bison are not inherently aggressive but will defend their space if threatened. Yellowstone Park officials have warned visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and 100 yards away from bears and wolves. The potential risks associated with interacting with wild animals in national parks were highlighted by previous instances of bison attacks, including one where a man was charged with various offenses after provoking a bison.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that there are approximately 420,000 bison in commercial herds and 20,500 in conservation herds in the U.S. Bison numbers were severely diminished during the westward expansion of the 19th century, nearly driving them to extinction. The recent incident in Yellowstone serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance to minimize the risk of confrontations. Park officials emphasized the significance of visitors adhering to guidelines and regulations to ensure their safety and the well-being of the animals inhabiting the park. The incident involving the 83-year-old woman is one of several cases where individuals have been injured by bison in Yellowstone, underscoring the need for vigilance and caution when encountering wild animals in national parks.
