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Bison That Charged Yellowstone National Park Visitors Was Provoked

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Published Date

July 22, 2010

A bison that charged two Yellowstone National Park visitors was provoked. Scream capture from CNN video.

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.

Comments

Kind of gives you new respect for the Native Americans who used to hunt these things with primative weapons, doesn't it?


Can you say "Darwin Awards"???


Yes, you are specifically prohibited from "harassing" the animals. If they react to you being there.... you have harassed them. Fine these people simply for being too close.


Once upon a long time ago, I was out in Lamar on my day off when a little yellow VW beetle buzzed past me while a dozen or so buffs were crossing the road. Instead of stopping and patiently waiting for them to move off, the driver decided to try honking his wimpy little VW tootengefunkenthingen.

Didn't impress the cow that was right in front of him, but the bull that was beside him took offense and charged. Hit the side of the bug with battering ram force and caved in the driver side door. Then he reached down, hooked a horn under the little thing and flipped it neatly over onto its top. Then, as the little yellow carcass wobbled back and forth on its rounded top and the dazed young man behind the wheel tried to untangle himself, the old bull stalked away with the rest of the herd.

And -- this is absolutely true! -- he could clearly be heard muttering, "I dunno what that thing was, but I sure as Hell killed it!"


What part of "WILD ANIMAL" do these people not understand. They were VERY lucky to not have been seriously injured or killed. What kind of example are they setting for our children?


You can clearly see the stick come flying at the peaceful bison in the video (at time 0:27). They are harassing the bison, and get away with their stupidity with less damage than they deserve.


"It is illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, within ANY distance that disturbs or displaces the animal."
Copied from Yellowstone National Park's website. They are clearly harassing the bison by approaching and throwing a stick (see video at 0:27) - that's an illegal activity. Charge them!


Seriously! If you want to see stupidity in action, go to any national park where there is a natural danger and tourists. People don't think!


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