Yellowstone National Park – On June 29, a 71-year-old Pennsylvania woman was gored by a bison after she and her daughter inadvertently got too close to the animal near Storm Point at Yellowstone Lake.
The incident, which left the woman with non-life-threatening injuries, comes just two days after a Colorado man was gored by a bison on a boardwalk near Giant Geyser at Old Faithful, and it is the third bison attack in 2022.
The National Park Service reminds the public that bison are unpredictable and they can run three times faster than humans. The agency advises the public to:
- 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.
The last two bison attacks remain under investigation and the park service has no further information.
