EBS STAFF
On June 1, an 83-year-old woman from Greenville, South Carolina was gored by a bison near the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park.
According to a press release by the National Park Service, the bison was defending its space and “lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns,” according to the release. She sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Lake Medical Clinic where she was flown by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. The woman’s condition is not known at this time and the incident is under investigation.
In the release, YNP reminded visitors that animals in the park are wild and can be dangerous. It is a visitor’s responsibility to stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals – bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes – and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If needed, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity.
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,”the release stated. “Bison are not aggressive animals but will defend their space when threatened. They are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans.”
