A 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was injured at Yellowstone National Park on Sunday after a bison charged and gored him when he reportedly approached the animal too closely.
The attack occurred around 3:15 p.m. in the Lake Village area and marks the first bison-related incident in the park this year.
Emergency responders at the scene treated the man for minor injuries. Park officials are currently investigating the circumstances of the encounter, though they emphasized that bison are known to defend their space if they feel threatened.
Yellowstone, which is home to an estimated 3,500 to 6,000 bison, has a strict policy urging visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from these powerful animals. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run at speeds of 35 miles per hour—three times faster than a human. Despite repeated warnings, bison have consistently been involved in more injuries to visitors than any other animal in the park.
This latest incident follows a series of bison attacks in recent years. In June 2024, an 83-year-old woman was seriously injured near Storm Point Trail after a bison charged and tossed her into the air. She was later airlifted for further medical care. A separate attack occurred in April 2024 when a man from Idaho kicked a bison and was immediately gored. He was later charged with several offenses, including disturbing wildlife and public intoxication.
In July 2023, another visitor sustained serious internal injuries from a bison encounter, underscoring the consistent danger of approaching these wild animals.
Park rangers continue to remind visitors that Yellowstone is a wilderness area where wildlife should be observed from a safe distance. They encourage all tourists to review safety guidelines before entering the park to prevent unnecessary injuries and disruptions to the natural ecosystem.