In an alarming incident at Yellowstone National Park, a visitor from Florida encountered a serious but not uncommon danger when he was gored by a bison. This marks the first such occurrence for the summer of 2025. Park officials have issued their regular advisory urging visitors to maintain a safe distance from the wildlife. Despite the harrowing encounter, the 47-year-old man sustained only minor injuries, as confirmed in a park statement released on Wednesday.
Details surrounding the incident remain sparse, with officials choosing not to elaborate on the attack, other than confirming it happened around Lake Village. This area is known for its accommodations and campsites along Yellowstone Lake. The park reiterated a crucial piece of advice: bison are unpredictable and can become aggressive if their space is invaded. Statistics indicate bison have historically been responsible for more injuries to visitors than other wildlife in the park.
To put it in perspective, last year alone saw at least two instances where visitors were attacked by bison, including a seriously injured 83-year-old woman from South Carolina. A similar incident in 2023 involved an Arizona woman, while in 2022, two more people fell victim to such aggressive encounters. Bison attacks tend not just to involve proximity; misguided attempts by visitors to interact with these animals, such as picking up calves, have also been noted, potentially leading to deadly consequences for the young animals if they are rejected by their herd.
While bison often appear tranquil as they graze or rest, these massive animals are capable of running speeds up to 35 mph, surpassing the speed of the fastest human sprinter. As a safety precaution, park rules stipulate visitors should keep a distance of at least 25 yards from bison and other large herbivores, and a much wider berth of 100 yards from predators like wolves and bears.
Bison stand as the largest land mammals in North America, reaching heights of 6 feet and weighing as much as 2,000 pounds. The appeal of Yellowstone is undeniable, drawing approximately 4.7 million visitors last year. However, the start of this year’s summer season has already been marred by tragedy, with a tour bus crash claiming seven lives in nearby Idaho. Park operations for the summer began with snow clearance on roads in late April, signaling the official onset of the busy season.