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Terrifying scene: US elderly man gored by Yellowstone bison, thrown 2 meters, in critical condition

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • An elderly man was gored and thrown about 8 feet into the air by a bison in Yellowstone National Park.
  • The incident occurred when the man and his grandson were observing the bison, which then charged at them.
  • Park officials advise maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, with a recommended 25 yards for bison.

A terrifying encounter in Yellowstone National Park left an elderly man critically injured after a bison gored him and tossed him approximately 8 feet into the air. The incident occurred on July 10th when the man and his grandson were visiting the park in Wyoming.

The bison then charged towards the children, and campers warned each other to take cover.

— Witness (paraphrased from context)Describing the initial moments of the bison's aggressive behavior.

Photographer Mike MacLeod, who was present at the scene, described how the bison, estimated to weigh 2,000 kilograms, was initially crossing a campsite. A group of children began taking photos from a distance, prompting the bison to charge towards them. MacLeod's footage shows the bison stopping and lying in the dust it kicked up. The elderly man and his grandson were observing from dozens of yards away and taking pictures when the bison suddenly stood up.

MacLeod urged the man to move, but the pair took cover behind trees. The bison then became fixated on a passing pickup truck, but after failing to catch up, it turned its attention back to the grandfather and grandson. The bison chased the man around the trees, knocked him down, and then hooked him with its horns, flinging him into the air. MacLeod and other campers shouted at the bison, eventually driving it away.

The bison hooked the old man's buttocks with its horns and threw him high into the air. I felt this was going to be fatal.

— Mike MacLeodDescribing the critical moment the man was gored and thrown.

Yellowstone National Park officials emphasize that all wildlife is dangerous, regardless of its apparent tameness. They recommend observing animals from a vehicle and maintaining a distance of at least 100 yards from bears, wolves, and cougars, and 25 yards from bison and elk. Approaching, disturbing, or harassing wildlife is illegal. MacLeod noted that the man appeared to be maintaining a safe distance, suggesting the bison's aggressive behavior might be due to it being in rut.

Park officials emphasize that wildlife in the park, no matter how docile they may appear, are dangerous.

— Yellowstone National Park officials (paraphrased from context)Highlighting the inherent danger of wild animals in the park.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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