A 47-year-old woman from Phoenix was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park, resulting in “significant injuries.” The woman was airlifted to an Idaho hospital for treatment following the incident.
The woman and another individual were walking near the Lake Lodge Cabins on Monday morning when they encountered two bison. They attempted to move away from the animals, but one bison charged and gored the woman, causing severe injuries to her chest and abdomen.
The park’s rangers are currently investigating the incident, including determining the distance between the woman and the bison when it charged. Yellowstone rangers warn that bison can become more agitated during mating season, which occurs from mid-July to mid-August.
The National Park Service emphasizes that park regulations require visitors to maintain a distance of more than 25 yards from large animals like bison, elk, sheep, moose, and deer, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. Not adhering to these regulations can lead to fines and potentially severe injuries or death.
This incident marks the first reported bison goring of 2023 in Yellowstone. Other incidents have occurred in the park over recent years, emphasizing the importance of visitor education and adherence to safety protocols. Visitors are urged to report any potentially harmful behavior to park rangers or call 911 if they’re in the park.