tourist killed by bison yellowstone

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Bison gores 83-year-old woman in Yellowstone National Park

By Jordan Freiman

June 3, 2024 / 9:50 PM EDT / CBS News

An 83-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park over the weekend, the park said Monday.

The park said the bison was "defending its space" when it gored the South Carolina woman near the Storm Point Trail, which is located at the north end of Yellowstone Lake. The bison "came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns," the park said.

Emergency staff first took the woman to the nearby Lake Medical Clinic for treatment before she was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Yellowstone said. The park did not have any specific information about her injuries or her condition as of Monday night.

The woman was not immediately identified.

The park noted more people have been injured by bison at Yellowstone than by any other animal. The park also said it is visitors' responsibility to keep their distance from wild animals, including staying at least 25 yards away from large animals like bison and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

"Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans," the park warned.

In April, an Idaho man suffered minor injuries when he was attacked by a bison in Yellowstone after he allegedly kicked it. He was later charged with being under the influence of alcohol, disorderly conduct, approaching wildlife and disturbing wildlife, the park said.

Last year, a 47-year-old woman was gored by a bison not far from where this most recent incident took place. In 2022, a 25-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were gored by bison near Old Faithful within weeks of each other. A 71-year-old tourist from Pennsylvania was also  attacked by a bison  in June 2022.

Bison are the largest mammals in North America, according to the Department of the Interior, and males can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Their mating season is from mid-July to mid-August, during which they can become agitated more quickly than at other times of the year, according to park officials.

Tens of millions of bison once roamed North America,  according to  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but they were driven nearly to extinction during the United States' westward expansion in the 19th century. Their numbers at one point dwindled to just a few hundred.

As of last August, there were about 420,000 bison in commercial herds, according to USFWS, and another 20,500 in conservation herds in the U.S.

— Aliza Chasan and Adam Yamaguchi contributed reporting.

• Yellowstone National Park

Jordan Freiman is a news editor for CBSNews.com. He covers breaking news, trending stories, sports and crime. Jordan has previously worked at Spin and Death and Taxes.

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Yellowstone tourist gored by bison, suffers 'significant injuries', share this article.

A tourist in Yellowstone National Park was seriously injured Monday when she was gored by a bison while trying to walk away from the animal.

The 47-year-old woman, visiting from Arizona, suffered “significant injuries to her chest and abdomen,” according to a park news release. She was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The morning incident – the first involving a bison attacking a tourist in 2023 – occurred near the Lake Lodge Cabins on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake.

Apparently, the woman and another tourist turned to walk away from bison that had gathered in the area. One animal charged and gored the woman.

ALSO: Dogs battle brown bear in ‘intense’ encounter caught on video

The park said it was unclear how close she was to the bison when it attacked, and that a probe has been launched.

“This incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share, including the woman’s condition,” the park stated.

Yellowstone tourists are supposed to remain at least 25 yards from bison and elk, and 100 yards from bears and wolves.

The incident occurred as the bison rut, or mating season, is getting underway. Bison are easily agitated during the rut.

–Generic bison image courtesy of Yellowstone National Park

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News Release

Woman gored by bison june 1 in yellowstone national park.

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Contact: Linda Veress , (307) 344-2015

Incident details

• On June 1, a bison gored an 83-year-old woman from Greenville, South Carolina, near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake.
• The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns.
• The woman sustained serious injuries. Park emergency responders transported her to the Lake Medical Clinic where she was flown by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
• The incident remains under investigation and there is no additional information to share at this time, including the woman’s condition.

Visitors: It’s your responsibility to respect safety regulations and view wildlife from a safe distance. Move away from wildlife if they approach you.

• Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous. Wild animals can be aggressive if people don't respect their space. When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, give it space. It is your responsibility to 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. If need be, move or turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.
• Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.
• Read more about safety in the park , including how to behave around wildlife. The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules.
• Protect the park today and for future generations by taking the Yellowstone Pledge !

Last updated: June 3, 2024

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PO Box 168 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

307-344-7381

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Yellowstone kills baby bison after park visitor touches the animal

Yellowstone National Park says it has killed a newborn bison in the US state of Wyoming after a visitor intentionally touched the animal.

The visitor was trying to help the calf rejoin its herd after it got separated from its mother, according to the park.

The herd rejected the calf despite repeated attempts by park rangers to reunite the young bison.

Yellowstone is now investigating the incident.

The calf had to be killed because it was abandoned by the herd and was approaching cars and people on the roadway, "causing a hazardous situation", the park said on Tuesday.

"An unidentified white male in his 40-50s, wearing a blue shirt and black pants" approached the newborn bison on Saturday after the calf had been separated from its herd while trying to cross the Lamar River.

"As the calf struggled, the man pushed the calf up from the river and onto the roadway," the park said. The newborn animal was later seen on the road around vehicles and visitors.

Interference by people can cause a herd to reject its offspring.

"Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival," the news release said, noting that people are required to stay at least 25 yards (23m) away from all wildlife, and 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

"The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules."

Yellowstone National Park law enforcement is now seeking information from the public on the incident.

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Want to See Bison at Yellowstone? You’re Likely Not Prepared.

An 83-year-old woman was gored Saturday by a bison. Experts offered advice on how to avoid a similar situation.

By Derrick Bryson Taylor

In the deep green pastures of Yellowstone National Park, where the air is crisp and the tall grass dances in the breeze, lives the bison, a large, majestic animal with chocolate brown fur — and a delicate temperament that could turn from pleasant to dangerous in seconds.

Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, a national park official said. On average, there are one to two reported incidents of bison injuring visitors annually. However, bison at the park have not killed any people in the last five years.

Last weekend, an 83-year-old woman from South Carolina was gored by a bison that was defending its space, park officials said. She sustained serious injuries after being lifted about a foot off the ground by the animal’s horns. The incident remains under investigation.

It was the latest in a string of tragic events at the park involving visitors and bison, which are social animals that live in herds. In April, a 40-year-old man was injured after harassing a herd of bison and kicking one of the animals in the leg. Last July, a 47-year-old woman sustained significant injuries after being charged and gored by a bison. Just weeks earlier, a man pleaded guilty to one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife after interacting with a newborn bison calf, which had to be euthanized .

Episodes like these occur too regularly, said Jon Grinnell, associate professor of biology and a bison expert at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. “I think it’s a sign of how unfamiliar people are with dealing with wild animals,” he said. “They think they are tame things that will respect them, and they won’t always do that.”

Still, visiting Yellowstone to learn about the animals could be beneficial, Mr. Grinnell said. “If the only exposure to wildlife is through the internet, that’s going to teach them some dangerous behaviors,” he said. “It’s much better to respect the animals and give it space and not have to have that selfie taken with the bison bull.”

The bison at Yellowstone make up the country’s largest population, about 5,000, on public land. Herds, which can range from a few dozen bison up to hundreds, freely roam over Yellowstone and into some nearby areas of Montana.

We spoke to two bison experts about the dos and don’ts of encountering the animal at Yellowstone.

Should visitors of Yellowstone be scared of bison?

There is no need to be fearful of bison, but humans should keep a healthy respect for them from a distance, said Jeff Martin, assistant professor of bison biology and management at South Dakota State University. Mr. Martin said that park visitors should practice observing bison in awe because “they are incredibly large and appear to be a relic of the past.”

How big are bison, and what is their temperament?

Bison are massive, about twice the size of domestic cattle. Male bison, known as bulls, can weigh more than 2,000 pounds, Mr. Grinnell said, with temperaments that can easily switch from placid to aggressive, especially during the breeding season, which typically runs from mid-July to mid-August.

Can humans outrun a bison?

“Not a chance,” Mr. Grinnell said, adding that bison can run 35 miles per hour.

Despite their size, bison are agile animals that can turn on a dime. “They’re really sort of front heavy,” Mr. Grinnell said. “So they plant their front feet, whip their rear end around, and they can go the next direction they want.”

Is it ever safe to approach a bison?

Under what circumstances should humans intervene with wildlife at yellowstone.

None. Call the park office and let a wildlife biologist, who is a trained professional, deal with the situation, Mr. Martin said.

Bison are most active in the summer.

Coinciding with summer travel, bison are busiest from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the early part of the season, new mothers have calves on the ground. “They are highly protective of their babies,” Mr. Martin said. “Do not go near them, because they don’t want anyone near their babies.” Then later in the summer, bulls become territorial of their soon-to-be breeding mates, he said.

What to do if you encounter a bison.

Remain calm. Do not walk toward them, and instead begin backing up, Mr. Martin said. Do not stare at them in the eyes. If you happen upon them on a trail, follow the same directions. “Don’t make a big deal of it,” Mr. Martin said. “They’re not bears, you don’t need to be yelling, they know you’re there.”

What is proper distance from which to observe a bison?

National Park Service officials said visitors should stay more than 25 yards, or 75 feet, away from large animals like bison, elk, bighorn sheep and moose when encountered near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or other developed area. People should stay at least 100 yards, or 300 feet, away from bears and wolves.

What to do if you are gored?

Mr. Grinnell recommends lying still on the ground and hoping the bison goes away so medical help can reach you.

Derrick Bryson Taylor covers breaking and trending news and is based in London. More about Derrick Bryson Taylor

Bison gores woman in Yellowstone National Park after she gets too close

The woman sustained a puncture wound among other injuries, officials said.

A 25-year-old woman was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Monday morning, officials said.

A bison was walking near a boardwalk at Black Sand Basin, just north of the Old Faithful geyser, when a tourist approached it, coming within 10 feet. The wild animal then gored the woman and tossed her 10 feet into the air, according to a press release from the National Park Service.

VIDEO: Herd of bison hold up traffic

The unnamed woman, who was visiting from Grove City, Ohio, sustained a puncture wound among other injuries, the agency said. She was transported via ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

"The incident remains under investigation, and there is no additional information to share," the National Park Service said in the press release Tuesday. "Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached."

Two other individuals were also within 25 yards of the same bison at the time of the incident. Park regulations require visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from bison, which have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, according to the National Park Service.

It was the first reported incident in 2022 of a visitor being gored by a bison after getting too close. Bison "are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans," the agency said.

VIDEO: Bison charge past tourists in Yellowstone National Park

When a large animal such as a bison is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area, the National Park Service advises people to "give it space."

"If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity," the agency added.

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Bison Calf Killed After It Was 'Disturbed' by Tourist at Yellowstone National Park

"Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival," Yellowstone National Park said

Hellen Jack/NPS

A bison calf is dead after a Yellowstone National Park visitor allegedly "disturbed" the animal, the park said in a news release .

Yellowstone National Park said the incident happened on May 20 when a man in his 40-50s, wearing a blue shirt and black pants, approached a newborn bison calf in Lamar Valley, located on the park's northeast corner.

The visitor helped push a calf that had gotten separated from its mother up and out of the Lamar River and onto the roadway, where the animal approached cars and people, "causing a hazardous situation," according to the park.

The deed ended up causing the calf's herd to reject and abandon the baby animal despite efforts by park rangers to "repeatedly reunite" the calf with its herd. The park said "interference by people" could cause wildlife to "reject their offspring."

After efforts to reunite the calf with its herd failed, the park officials euthanized the baby animal because it was too young to live independently, according to Yellowstone National Park.

"Approaching wild animals can drastically affect their well-being and, in this case, their survival," the park said in the release, adding the park's regulations require people to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves.

"Disregarding these regulations can result in fines, injury, and even death," the release continued. "The safety of these animals, as well as human safety, depends on everyone using good judgment and following these simple rules."

Yellowstone National Park said the incident is currently under investigation and asked that anyone with information on the visitor who disturbed the calf call the Yellowstone National Park Tip Line at 307-344-2132 or email them at [email protected] .

Several unfortunate run-ins between park visitors and bison have occurred at Yellowstone National Park over the past few years.

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Last year, a bison at Yellowstone National Park gored a 71-year-old Pennsylvania woman when she "inadvertently approached the bison as they were returning to their vehicle at a trailhead. This caused the bull bison to charge" near Storm Point at Yellowstone Lake.

Another Ohio woman was tossed "10 feet into the air" by a bison after she approached it as it walked near the boardwalk at Black Sand Basin.

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A Yellowstone visitor picked up a baby bison. It was put to death after its herd rejected it

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials killed a newborn bison because its herd wouldn’t take the animal back after a man picked it up.

The calf became separated from its mother when the herd crossed the Lamar River in northeastern Yellowstone on Saturday. The unidentified man pushed the struggling calf up from the river and onto a roadway, park officials said in a statement Tuesday.

Park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd but were unsuccessful. Visitors saw the calf walking up to and following cars and people, creating a hazard, so park staff killed the animal, according to the statement.

READ MORE: Man who harassed Yellowstone bison arrested at Glacier park

It’s the latest example of Yellowstone visitors getting in trouble or hurt after approaching bison. Park officials euthanized a newborn bison after a similar incident in 2016, when a Canadian man and his son put the calf in their SUV, thinking they could rescue it.

The man pleaded guilty. He was fined $235 and ordered to pay $500 to the Yellowstone Park Foundation Wildlife Protection Fund.

Bison have gored several people in Yellowstone in recent years, often after they got too close to the animals.

Many of Yellowstone’s larger animals — including bison, which can run up to 35 mph (55 kilometers per hour) and weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) — are deceptively dangerous, even when they’re just grazing or resting.

READ MORE: This global challenge invites people to document the wild side of their cities

Park rules require visitors to keep at least 25 yards (23 meters) away from wildlife including bison, elk and deer, and at least 100 yards (91 meters) away from bears and wolves.

Park officials are investigating the bison calf incident. The suspect was a white male in his 40s or 50s who was wearing a blue shirt and black pants, the statement said.

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Baby bison killed after a Yellowstone visitor helped the animal and its herd rejected it

Yellowstone National Park staff killed a newborn bison after a visitor helped it cross a river, an apparent rescue effort that prompted the calf’s herd to reject the animal, park officials said Tuesday. 

The calf had been separated from its mother when the herd crossed a river in a northern section of the park on Saturday, Yellowstone said in a news release.

As the calf struggled to cross the river, the man approached the animal and pushed it up from the river and onto a roadway, the release says.

Visitors later saw the calf walk up to cars and people and follow them, according to the release.

Park rangers tried repeatedly to reunite the calf with the herd, but the efforts failed, according to the release, which notes that interference from people can cause wildlife to reject their offspring.

After the failed reunification efforts, park staff killed the newborn “because it was abandoned by the herd and causing a hazardous situation by approaching cars and people along the roadway,” the release says.

The release pointed to park regulations requiring visitors to stay at least 25 yards from all wildlife, including bison, elk and deer, and 100 yards from bears and wolves.

The park website has a page explaining why it doesn’t rescue animals after they’re injured or when they become separated from their mothers.

The park said law enforcement officers are seeking more information about the incident.

A spokeswoman for the park, Morgan Warthin, said he could face a misdemeanor charge of disturbing wildlife, disorderly conduct or approaching wildlife.

The charges carry a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine, Warthin said.

Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Yellowstone tourist suffers consequences after getting too close to bison: ‘Got what he was asking for’

T here are few more magnificent places in the world than Yellowstone National Park, which boasts 2.2 million acres of land to explore.

When making a visit, it’s important to remember you’re also entering the home of a number of wild animals, including elk, bears, and wolves.

One tourist got up close and personal with a wild bison, and it didn’t end well for them. 

An image posted on the TouronsOfYellowstone Instagram account shows an unfortunate person pinned underneath the head of a clearly unhappy bison. 

“​​What an idiot. Got what he was asking for up close and personal,” one user commented. 

“Another moron! Can’t read and won’t follow the rules!” said another.

According to the National Park Service’s website, bison are responsible for more animal-related injuries in Yellowstone Park than any other animal. It’s recommended to stay at least 75 feet away from the animals at all times, as they can run three times faster than humans. 

If this particular tourist had indeed read the park’s rules and advice as the commenter suggested, they would have known that approaching a bison threatens them, and warning signs like lowering their head, pawing, bellowing, or snorting would have suggested a charge was coming. 

You can also determine a bison’s mood by looking at their tails. The National Park Service has said that if it’s hanging down naturally, it’s feeling calm. But if the tail is standing upwards, they may be getting ready to charge. 

Regardless, since bison behavior is unpredictable, keeping a safe distance at all times is essential. 

“Do not stand your ground,” the National Park Service recommends to those in a tricky situation. “Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.”

Bison are the largest land mammal in North America, and an adult male can weigh around 2,000 pounds.

Since bison have lived in Yellowstone since prehistoric times, it’s probably fair that they would want to defend themselves against unwanted attention in their own home. Hopefully, this tourist has learned their lesson and wasn’t hurt after the close encounter.

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Yellowstone tourist suffers consequences after getting too close to bison: ‘Got what he was asking for’ first appeared on The Cool Down .

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Baby bison euthanized after being handled by a Yellowstone guest, rejected by herd

Emily Olson

A photo shared by the National Park Service shows a park visitor attempting to help a stranded bison calf reunite with its herd. The plan ultimately ended the animal's chance of survival. Hellen Jack/National Park Service hide caption

A photo shared by the National Park Service shows a park visitor attempting to help a stranded bison calf reunite with its herd. The plan ultimately ended the animal's chance of survival.

UPDATE: A Hawaii man has pleaded guilty to disturbing wildlife in connection with this incident. For the latest on this story, head here .

Yellowstone National Park rangers euthanized a newborn bison calf after a visitor touched the animal, trying to help it catch up with its herd, the National Park Service said on Tuesday.

The herd had been crossing the Lamar River on Saturday evening when the calf got separated from its mother on the river bank, according to a press release from the agency. A man observing the scene approached the animal with apparent rescue intentions.

"As the calf struggled, the man pushed the calf up from the river and onto the roadway," NPS said. "Visitors later observed the calf walk up to and follow cars and people."

After nearly 200 years, the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma reconnects with bison

Park rangers repeatedly tried to reunite the calf with the herd, but the herd resisted.

The rangers later euthanized the calf, saying its persistence in approaching cars posed a hazard to guests, according to NPS.

NPS is investigating the incident and asking the public to share any relevant information to a tip line. The agency has yet to identify the man behind the incident, describing him as a "white male in his 40-50's, wearing a blue shirt and black pants."

Pending the outcome of the investigation, he could be charged with Class B misdemeanors, including disturbing wildlife, disorderly conduct (creating a hazardous condition) and approaching wildlife, according to Morgan Warthin, a spokesperson for Yellowstone National Park.

If found guilty of those charges, the man could face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine, Warthin told NPR.

Yellowstone requires that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from its two breeding bison herds, which collectively contained 5,900 animals at the last count in 2022. The park is the only place in the contiguous U.S. to have maintained a continuously free-ranging bison population since prehistoric times.

Strange News

An ice-age bison was discovered then soon eaten — once the foul taste was smothered.

By the late 1880s, Yellowstone's herds were nearly extinct, due to a mix of poaching and hunting by the U.S. Army, part of an federal campaign to eradicate Native American tribes in the area by diminishing their main source of food.

Today, park guests can spot the animals nearly year-round and from the roadway in places like Wyoming's Lamar Valley, a confluence of rivers in the park's northeast corner.

NPS has frequently defended its policy of not interfering in the natural death of animals on public lands, including orphaned offspring.

"Our focus is on sustaining viable populations of native wildlife species, rather than protecting individual animals," reads an NPS webpage on the policy. "An animal's survival depends on its own daily decisions and natural selection."

Another Yellowstone bison calf was euthanized following human interference in 2016. Edward O'Brien of Montana Public Radio reported that two tourists placed the calf in their car and drove it to a nearby park facility because they "thought the animal looked cold and uncomfortable."

Correction May 30, 2023

An earlier version of this story said that Yellowstone's bison herds nearly went extinct due to poaching. In fact, illegal hunting was only one factor that contributed to the herd's decline and the story has been updated to reference another key driver: a campaign, led by the U.S. Army, to drive out Native American tribes in the region.

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