An 83-year-old woman was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park this weekend, officials said.
In a terrifying incident on Saturday, one of the park’s many bison attacked the woman and “lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns,” Yellowstone officials said in a news release. The woman — a resident of Greenville, S.C. — was attacked near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake.
She sustained serious injuries. 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 the woman’s current condition is unclear, officials said. Unfortunately, bison attacks like this have become commonplace in the park. In a statement, park officials once again stressed the importance of park visitors “respecting safety regulations” and viewing wildlife from a safe distance.
Park Tips for Staying Safe
The press release included several pieces of advice from park rangers detailing how visitors to the National Park can enjoy the wildlife — while keeping themselves and their families safe from harm.
- “Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous.” When an animal is near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area, give it plenty of space. It’s the responsibility of park visitors to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals — bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes — and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If necessary, 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, officials said. Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.
- Officials invite all visitors to take the Yellowstone Pledge. These 10 rules of behavior will help visitors stay safe while enjoying all the park has to offer.
