MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – May 11, 2025 — A visitor from Cape Coral, Florida, was gored by a bison on Sunday afternoon in Yellowstone National Park after reportedly approaching the animal at an unsafe distance.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. in the Lake Village area. Park officials said the 47-year-old man sustained minor injuries and received on-site treatment from emergency responders.
First Bison Injury of the Year
This is the first reported bison-related injury in Yellowstone in 2025, following two incidents in 2024 and one in 2023. Bison are the most dangerous large animals in the park in terms of visitor injuries, due to their size, speed, and unpredictable behavior.
Park Officials Reiterate Safety Rules
Yellowstone National Park issued a reminder urging visitors to follow wildlife safety protocols:
- Stay at least 25 yards away from bison, elk, moose, and other large mammals.
- Stay 100 yards away from bears and wolves.
- If an animal approaches, back away to maintain distance.
- Bison can run up to three times faster than humans and will defend their space if threatened.
Park rangers emphasized that violating distance rules puts both humans and wildlife at risk.
Past Incidents Reflect Ongoing Safety Issues
Yellowstone has repeatedly faced problems with visitors ignoring wildlife safety rules. Past examples include:
- A man from Idaho Falls who kicked a bison and was arrested.
- Tourists who placed a bison calf in their car, mistakenly believing it was cold.
Officials encourage all park guests to respect wildlife boundaries to avoid dangerous encounters.
