Latest news with #bison
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials issue warning after bison gores man for getting too close at Yellowstone National Park: 'Bison will defend their space when threatened'
A visitor to Yellowstone National Park was gored by a bison this week, underscoring, once again, how critical it is to be mindful when sharing space with wild animals. This incident is part of a troubling pattern of increasing human-wildlife conflicts that experts warn could become even more common as people and animals increasingly compete for space and resources, which pushes animals into tighter quarters. This week, a 30-year-old tourist from Randolph, New Jersey, was injured by a bison in Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin. Park officials said the man sustained what were fortunately minor injuries after being gored, was treated by emergency personnel, and the incident remains under investigation. This is the second such injury involving a bison in the park in just a month. Officials stressed that visitors are required to stay at least 25 yards from large animals like bison — which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run three times faster than a human. "Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal," the National Park Service warned. In past years, close encounters have sometimes led to tragic outcomes — such as the 2023 incident where a man picked up a bison calf, causing it to be rejected by its herd and subsequently leading to officials euthanizing it. Human-wildlife conflicts are escalating, not just in Yellowstone but globally. As human populations expand and habitats shrink or shift — often driven by rising global temperatures and resource shortages — wild animals are forced into closer proximity with people. According to research cited by the BBC, nearly 50% of large carnivore attacks could be avoided with better human behavior and education. Experts emphasize that many encounters stem from surprise or defensive reactions by animals, not innate aggression. Increased tourism and habitat disruption can also cause wildlife to become stressed or habituated to humans, which often leads to more dangerous interactions — and too often results in animals being euthanized. Park officials are ramping up education campaigns to remind visitors about safe distances and responsible behavior in wildlife areas. Tools like the Bear Smart community program and wildlife coexistence initiatives aim to foster safer human-animal interactions. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. On an individual level, following park guidelines is the simplest and most effective way to prevent these conflicts. This means keeping a respectful distance from all wildlife, never feeding or touching animals, and educating yourself before visiting natural spaces. Supporting conservation groups working to preserve natural habitats — such as the Wildlife Conservation Society, Environmental Defense Fund, and National Park Conservation Association — can also help. Healthy ecosystems with abundant space and resources are key to reducing these encounters and promoting coexistence. Protecting wildlife ultimately protects people too — ensuring we can continue to share the planet's most magnificent spaces safely and sustainably. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Toddler-wielding Yellowstone tourists do most idiotic thing imaginable upon seeing 1,000 pound BISON
A shocking video shows moms with toddlers recklessly approaching a 1,000-pound bison in Yellowstone, ignoring multiple warning signs. One mother is seen holding her toddler's hand as she casually strolls past a large 'Road Closed' sign and makes a beeline for the bison, apparently trying to give her child a closer look at the hulking beast. She's flanked by two other women, also with small children in tow—who hover dangerously close to the unpredictable animal. The alarming scene was filmed by Jennifer Gunderson, a photographer visiting the park with her husband Rob to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. 'Rob and I pulled into Pebble Creek picnic area—which was formerly a campground closed due to severe flooding in 2022. We were about to have our lunch when we heard shouting,' she told 'We looked over to the gate and saw a few parents with small children making their way towards a bison. We also shouted with the others, but none of these families responded and kept getting closer.' 'The people next to me were on the phone with park services, so I decided to start recording in case of an incident and evidence was needed.' Jennifer, who has been a professional photographer for over 40 years, said her background in nature and wildlife made the incident all the more jarring. 'To be honest, I was shocked that people would get that close to a wild animal—let alone bring small children with them,' she said. 'Since we started planning this trip three years ago, we researched safe distances from large wildlife. 'We've followed the 'Tourons of Yellowstone' Instagram account and shook our heads at some of the things posted. 'Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd witness it in person.' Jennifer said she and Rob have always loved landscape and wildlife photography. 'We planned this trip as our anniversary celebration for Grand Tetons and Yellowstone,' she explained. 'Last time I was in Yellowstone was 1976.' Though no one was injured in the bison encounter, it could have ended very differently. The footage has sparked fresh calls for better education - and harsher penalties - for tourists who put their children, and Yellowstone's animals, at risk. This comes just after a New Jersey man was gored by a Yellowstone bison—the second person this year to feel the wrath of the massive beasts after getting too close. The 30-year-old, from Randolph, was attacked just before 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Upper Geyser Basin, not far from Old Faithful, after he and a group of tourists approached the animal. It charged and struck him, leaving him with minor injuries. He was transported by emergency personnel for treatment, and the incident remains under investigation. It marked the second goring of 2025. On May 4, a 47-year-old Florida man was also gored after approaching a bison. In 2024, two more people were injured by bison, including an 83-year-old South Carolina woman who was tossed into the air after getting caught in a bison's horns. There was one goring in 2023, and two in 2022—each a stark warning that Yellowstone's wildlife is anything but tame.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- The Sun
Man GORED by wild bison at national park in front of horrified tourists after he made glaring mistake near beast
A BISON has gored a man in front of horrified national park tourists after he made a silly mistake near the wild beast. It's the second such violent encounter so far this summer season with the beloved animal which weighs up to 2,000 pounds. 6 6 Visitors to Yellowstone National Park have been urged to "respect wildlife" after a 30-year-old from Randolph, New Jersey, was spiked yesterday. A bison attacked the man after a large group of people got too close to the animal - spooking it - while the iconic animal was in the Old Faithful area. The visitor was treated for minor injuries after being gored around 9:45 am, according to a park statement. Park officials have not released the wounded man's name or condition, however the incident is under investigation. They said in a statement, "The individual sustained minor injuries and was treated and transported by emergency medical personnel. "There are no photos or videos of this incident to share." Two men have now been gored by a bison so far this summer in Yellowstone. On May 7, a 47-year-old from Cape Coral, Florida, sustained minor injuries after being spiked in the Lake Village area. The park warned on social media, "Wildlife in Yellowstone are wild and can be dangerous. "Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Horror as bison gores woman at Yellowstone National Park after it charged at her as she walked away from the animal "They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans." Bison attacks are rare - but they can be deadly, said National Geographic. There were two reported incidents in 2024 and one in 2023, when a 47-year-old woman from Arizona suffered significant injuries to her chest and abdomen. CALF KILLED Two years ago, Clifford Walters of Hawaii pleaded guilty to intentionally disturbing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park after he was pictured holding a newborn bison calf. The calf was later euthanized by park staff because it was abandoned by the herd. Walters was fined $500 and ordered to make a $500 Community Service payment to Yellowstone Forever Wildlife Protection Fund. In 2022, a 25-year-old visitor from Ohio was gored and tossed into the air after getting within 10 feet of a bison. Bison advice from Yellowstone National Park Bison can move at speeds of 35 miles per hour, leap over high fences, and they're also strong swimmers Yellowstone officials have signs in the park warning visitors against approaching bison, as they can be "aggressive." They said, "It is your responsibility to stay more than 25 yards (23 meters) away from all large animals including bison. "If wildlife approach you, move away to always maintain these safe viewing distances. "Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. "They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans." Bison calves tend to be born from late March through May. A 2019 report from Utah state university said that bisons injure more people in Yellowstone than any other wildlife. KILLED VISITOR Between 1978 and 1992, 56 people were wounded and two people died from bison attacks at the famous park. Half of such attacks occur when visitors try to take a pic with a bison. Besides getting too close, ignorant visitors have been known to pick up baby bison. Such contact can cause the baby to be shunned by its herd and thus die. NOT DISNEY CRITTER News of the latest attack hasn't won any sympathy from Americans. Many claimed such incidents were "natural selection" for such "morons." One person added: 'I was in Yellowstone a few months ago, and there were signs all over the place, telling you not to approach the wildlife. If he ignored the signs then what did he expect?' 6 6 Another advised on social media, 'OK all you tourists. Bison are not fluffy cows or gentle Disney critters. "They are massive beasts that everyone should give them their space. "People learn the hard way, and painfully so, that these animals have a quick temper and will react violently if they feel threatened or harassed.' Others said that visitors deserved to be gored if they ignored plentiful signs warning the bison are wild beasts, and tried to either pat the animals or get too close for selfies. One bison fan added, 'Yellowstone is not a petting zoo.' Yellowstone had 4,744,353 visitors last year. The American bison was named the national mammal of the United States on May 9, 2016. 6
The Guardian
11-06-2025
- The Guardian
Bison gores man who got too close in Yellowstone national park
A bison gored a man at Yellowstone national park on Tuesday, park officials said, in the latest instance of an injury caused to a tourist who got too close to one of the large hoofed bovines. An unnamed 30-year-old man from Randolph, New Jersey, sustained minor injuries after being gored by the bison in the Upper Geyser Basin region of Yellowstone, the famed national park that spreads across three western states. The National Park Service said the man was treated by emergency medical personnel and that the incident was now under investigation. The bison confrontation is the second such clash in a month – on 7 May the National Park Service reported that a 47-year-old Florida man was injured after getting too close. In recent years, there have been several such incidents after tourists disregarded warnings not to approach bison. One, now infamous, episode in 2023 involved a newborn bison having to be put down because a man picked it up and its herd would not take the animal back. A similar issue occurred in 2016, when a Canadian man and his son put a bison calf in their SUV. Once widespread across the US west, bison were slaughtered in huge numbers by white settlers and today the largest publicly managed herd is found in the Yellowstone region, with about 4,800 bison. Bison stand up to 6ft tall and can weigh 2,000 pounds and park officials said they 'can be aggressive if people don't respect their space'. Visitors to Yellowstone are required to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals, such as bison, elk, moose and coyotes, and at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars. 'Bison will defend their space when threatened and have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,' the park service warned on Tuesday. 'They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. If wildlife approach you, move away to always maintain these safe viewing distances.'
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
Man gored by bison in Yellowstone after group ‘approached it too closely'
A man was gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday after 'a large group of visitors approached it too closely', park officials have said. The incident occurred at approximately 9.45am in the Old Faithful area. The 30-year-old man, from Randolph, New Jersey, sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene, according to a statement released by the park. He was then 'transported by emergency medical personnel'. Park officials have not released the man's name or provided details about his condition, citing an ongoing investigation. No further information is currently available. This is the second bison attack in Yellowstone this spring. On May 7, a 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, suffered minor injuries after being gored in the Lake Village area. Bison gored at least two people in Yellowstone in 2024, including an 83-year-old South Carolina woman who was seriously injured. A bison gored an Arizona woman in the park in 2023. Yellowstone bison injured two people in 2022. Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other wild animal. They can run up to 35 mph (56 kph), faster than the men's world record in the 100-meter dash. Standing up to 6 feet (2 meters) tall and weighing up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms), they are North America's biggest land animal. Park regulations require visitors to keep at least 25 yards (22.86 meters) away from bison and other large herbivores and 100 yards (91 meters) away from wolves and bears. 'Wild animals can be aggressive if people don't respect their space,' Yellowstone park officials said in a statement. 'Bison will defend their space when threatened,' the statement said, describing the animals as 'unpredictable'.
