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.
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Comments
It's bad enough that this jerk likely threw the piece of wood at the bison. However - even with that, entering the area was monumentally stupid. This was a geyser basin, and there was a possibility that walking in this area (which has obvious signs of silca precipitates from geothermal springs/geysers) could mean walking over a thin crust over scalding hot water. There are always reports of people going off-trail in thermal areas breaking through the crust and getting scalded.
Local man scalded at Yellowstone National Park
http://www.thecitizennews.com/archive/main/archive-041015/ptc-09.htm
Yellowstone Park is beautiful, but can be dangerous
Two visitors receive thermal burns this month
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/news/2005/08/YellowstoneParkisbea.htm
I'll state the obvious. When I go to a national park, safety is priority one, and proper care around all species of animals is part of that. Amazing. And what is it about Yellowstone visitors? I went to Glacier NP last year and everyone was so well mannered that contributed to my decision to go back next month.
Some people just don't get it! Yellowstone is a wonderful place to see large dangerous animals in the wild, but is NOT a petting zoo! You need to respect them and their space. In June, we witnessed a young grizzly about 5 miles from Mammoth approximately 25 to 30 feet from the side of the road grazing in the new grass. Traffic was slowing in both directions and many people were parking and getting out of their cars. Several people were standing at the edge of the road taking pictures and even had their children with them! They were within 20 feet of a young GRIZZLY with no protection! This was probably a yearling, so where was Mama?! We took our picture from the safety of our truck and moved on. Passed two ranger trucks heading in that direction with lights flashing, so thankfully someone reported this dangerous situation.
Yellowstone is the most beautiful and fascinating place I have ever been in my life. There is so much wildlife around, it is wonderful to be one with mother nature there. However, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. There is a reason it is called WILD life. They are wild. They live on instinct. One of their instincts is to protect themself and their young. I don't know if young bison were involved, but none the less, if a bison has a stick thrown at it, its gonna get pissed off, wouldn't YOU?! I do not in any way shape or form feel bad for these two idiots who got way too close to the animal. They should be cited and they should be BANNED from our national parks. Instead, they are becoming famous making the national morning show circuit. [Edited]
Are they seriously going to get away with throwing a stick at a protected animal? They make it sound like they were innocent in the video interview! There should be consequences for this type of behavior, beyond what the bison has already inflicted upon their stupidity!
If they make any money on this video- it should go directly to the national parks or wildlife fund! They should not be making a single penny off of this!
Yellowstone and many of our other National Parks are beautiful, wild places. People who do not understand or appreciate WILDLIFE and who do not follow the rules, should be fined accordingly !
I agree with a couple of the above comments, these "tourons" going on tv and making money off this is totally disgusting. Since they have chosen to profit from their illegal actions, they should be banned from our National Parks.
Reminds me of when I was walking alone on the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake and decided to climb the bank and go back to the lodge. There was a small herd of bison. Thanks to the park's warnings about not getting close, I was able to duck back down without getting a stir out of them. Wild animals should always be considered wild. We have the same problem with city folks and black bears in the Smokies. At least no grizzlies here.