Don’t let the calm demeanor of a bison fool you, they are powerful, unpredictable animals who love their space. They are also not afraid to charge at anything or anyone that ventures too close, as one Yellowstone National Park visitor found out.
In a video shared by @touronsofyellowstone, a social media page dedicated to showcasing bad behavior in national parks, an unknown park visitor was recording when they snuck up on a grazing bison. The startled bison charged directly towards the tourist, who was able to get away from the animal by hiding behind a pine tree.
View this post on Instagram
The person filming was extremely luck to be able to walk away from this close call. Unfortunately, not all bison encounters end that way.
Last month, Amber Rodgers was on vacation in Yellowstone National Park with her now fiancée when she was attacked by a bison. Her injuries were so severe that she was flown to an Idaho hospital and was treated for multiple fractured vertebrae and both of her lungs collapsed.
The National Park Service recommends to stay at least 25 yards away from bison. During their mating season, also known as the rut, it is recommend to give them even more distance as male bison are more irritable from late June to mid August, making them even more unpredictable.
For more information on wildlife and park safety, visit the National Park Service website.
