An elderly man from California was severely injured after being thrown by a massive bison at Yellowstone National Park. Despite following safety guidelines, the 80-year-old sustained a fractured hip when the 907kg animal attacked him at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground. The incident occurred while the man was on an evening walk with his grandson and spotted the bison resting in the distance, beyond the designated safety zone.
Witnesses noted that the bison was already agitated, having previously charged at other visitors. As the grandfather and grandson tried to retreat behind trees, a passing truck seemed to provoke the bison further. The animal then targeted the elderly man, tossing him several feet into the air with its horn before he landed hard on the ground.
Following the attack, onlookers, including ex-Army photographer Mike MacLeod, intervened to scare off the bison and provide first aid to the injured man. Emergency services at Yellowstone transported the man to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The National Park Service is currently investigating the incident.
This alarming encounter serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by wildlife in national parks, especially during mating seasons when animals can exhibit aggressive behavior.