The other day two hikers in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone National Park were charged by a bison, and one was head-butted and flipped into the air. Initially, the park's report sounded as if the bison attacked unprovoked. But this video shows differently.
This is how the park's release explained the incident:
At about 8:30 p.m. on July 19, a 49-year-old woman and a 61-year-old male family member were exiting the Biscuit Basin thermal area to rejoin their family group in the parking lot, when a bison appeared in some nearby brush and charged them. The woman was struck and flipped in the air by the bison.
She sustained injuries as a result of the bison’s impact and subsequent fall to the ground. As her male family member attempted to escape the bison’s charge, he tripped and fell, sustaining injuries to his shoulder, hand, and foot. He was not injured by the bison.
However, a reporter for CNN tracked down the woman who filmed the "attack," and filed the following report. In the video it's easy to see that the two approached way too close to the bison, which was minding it's own business. And, if you look closely enough at the video, it appears someone threw a stick at the bison and hit it in the flanks.
With this information in hand, it'll be curious to learn whether park officials decide to cite the two, and whether anyone can finger who threw the stick at the bison. Park regulations require you to stay at least 25 yards -- 75 feet -- from bison and elk, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. And, the park's website notes, "Those who fail to abide by these requirements not only put themselves in danger, they may also be subject to a citation and fine."
Fortunately for the couple, they weren't killed or even seriously injured.
Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places
Comments
I wonder why you'd want to be on tv after something like this happened.
The film doesn't lie; someone definitely threw something that hit the bison and caused it to react violently. No sympathy for [this couple]. I hope they're both charged (and not only by the bison)!
Kurt,
And there has to be some regulation against throwing objects at the animals. Or maybe not?
[edited]
First thing to remember about large herbivores like bison, elk and cattle is they gain dominance in the herd by intimidation and brute force. They can hit each other with enough force to lift the other off the ground and send it sprawling. Not only do the males play this game, but so do the females. For the cows it is for first access to new grazing which equates to greater survivability for her and her offspring. Anyways, they weigh a 1000 to 2000 lbs. You weight how much? Yep, you are a lightweight. When they decide to shove you around, you will go flying.
[Edited] Who is their right mind would try to get that close to a wild animal AND THEN throw a stick at it to get it's attention? Guess they got what they asked for.
The jerk who went too close to a bison to get a better picture should be banned from the National Parks.
Hey, dummy! Get a camera with a longer zoom. These days there are non-SLR's that have lenses that zoom out to more than 500 mm (i.e., more than 10 power binocular/telescope) and take very good pictures.
I'm glad you got to the bottom of the story, Kurt. I was initially suspicious of the whole idea that a bison would have attacked anyone unprovoked. I spent a day in Yellowstone last year, encountered bison on two separate occasions and if you respect them, they respect you. One of the first things the rangers tell you once you arrive and check-in to a campsite is they hand you a yellow handbill telling you that bison are bigger and faster than you--don't mess with them. Perhaps this couple didn't get the message.
People who go too close to bison, and other potentially dangerous animals, to get a better picture should be banned from the National Parks in perpetuity.
There are very good non-DSLRs which have lenses that zoom out to the equivalent of more than 500 mm (that is, the the equivalent of more than 10 power for a binocular/telescope lens).